Electrical wiring assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring assembly that includes a plurality of line terminals configured to be coupled to a source of AC power. A circuit assembly is coupled to the plurality of line terminals. The circuit assembly includes a control circuit coupled to at least one electro-magnetic coil, the control circuit being configured to provide an electrical drive signal to the at least one electro-magnetic coil in accordance with a predetermined wireless charging regimen. The at least one electro-magnetic coil is configured to propagate a magnetic field in accordance with the electrical drive signal. A wall plate assembly is configured to accommodate the circuit assembly therewithin, the wall plate assembly including a charging interface region configured to accommodate a portable electronic device. The charging interface region is configured to position the at least one electro-magnetic coil proximate the portable electronic device so that the portable electronic device is disposed within the propagated magnetic field in accordance with the predetermined wireless charging regimen.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/171,479 filed on Jun. 5, 2015, the content of which isrelied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, andthe benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) is hereby claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to charging devices, andparticularly to wireless charging devices.

2. Technical Background

Portable or hand-held electronic devices have become ubiquitous.Moreover, the communications and computing technology spaces over-lapwith modern cell phones and lap-tops, tablets and I-pads having much ofthe same. One reason that these devices are so popular relates to thefact that they can be carried and used by the user almost anywhere.Thus, a user can make telephone calls, send and receive emails, exchangetext messages and/or browse the internet on the fly. In order to supportsuch device mobility, each of these portable electronic devices mustinclude some type of rechargeable battery system (e.g., electrochemicalbatteries, capacitor batteries, etc.). As a result, there is an urgentneed in the market for battery recharging stations.

In one approach that has been considered and tried, many electronicdevices are commercialized and sold together with their own chargingmeans. To be specific, many charging devices of this type are configuredas an electrical power cord that has a set of electrical contactsdisposed in a DC output plug that has a form factor configured to matewith a corresponding charging receptacle formed in the portable device.The charging cords (or stations) of this type are configured to beconnected to an AC power source (e.g., 120 VAC) and convert the AC powerinto a low voltage DC signal that charges the battery. One drawback tothis approach is that the charging cord/station is only usable with thatparticular device. Thus, its unique DC interface cannot be used with anyof the other portable devices on the market because they have chargingreceptacles with a different form factor. As a result, when one of thecharging station or the portable device gets damaged or has reached endof life, both have to be replaced.

In another approach that has been considered, a portable chargingstation includes an AC power connection (that couples the device to ACpower) and is further equipped with one or more standardized low voltageports (e.g., USB ports). While the portable electronic device is alsoequipped with a standardized low voltage port, it may not necessarilyhave the same form factor or configuration. In either case, the usermust obtain a low voltage cord that is appropriately terminated on eachend to charge the device. That cord must then be stowed when it is notin use. While this approach goes a long way toward solving theuniversality issue, it does not totally solve the problem; the so-calledstandardized low voltage ports actually comprise a family of low voltageport standards. One drawback to this approach therefore relates to theuser's accumulation of low voltage cords over time. (One for each typeof portable device in his possession). Many users will reach into adrawer for the “right” low voltage cord, only to pull out a plurality oftangled cords that must be separated. Once the cords are separated, theuser must “eye-ball” the various cords and select the right one for thedevice he is seeking to charge. As a result, these charger types aresusceptible to being misplaced, lost or stolen.

Perhaps as a result of the aforementioned issues, many portable chargingstations now include “wireless power transfer technology” thateliminates the need for a low voltage interconnection cable.Specifically, a device is charged using wireless magnetic inductivecoupling; the charging station includes a coil winding and the portableelectronic device is equipped with a secondary coil. The two coils forma transformer. Charging occurs when the portable electronic device isbrought within range of the charging coil's magnetic field. While thisapproach simplifies the cord entanglement issue, it also presents otherdrawbacks. While the low voltage cable is eliminated, the chargingstation still requires an AC power cord and further requires a chargingcradle that positions the mobile device proximate the charging coil.Thus, the resultant charging station is bulky and unwieldy, making itinconvenient to cart around and stow. Moreover, wireless chargingstations are also susceptible to being misplaced or stolen.

These various approaches all require that the charging device have apower plug to receive power. Another problem arises when the power isderived from an electrical wiring device which is a class of devicesinstalled in an outlet box as part of an electrical distribution system.When the charging station is plugged into the electrical wiring device,that particular voltage port is no longer available for any other use.Also, the power plug or the charging device itself obscures the face ofthe wiring device, effectively taking part of the wiring device out ofservice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the needs described above by providing awireless charger that addresses the issues described above. Accordingly,the wireless charger of the present invention may be realized in awiring device form factor that provides the user with wireless chargingcapabilities while simultaneously providing one or more USB receptacles,120 VAC receptacles, electric switches or other such wiring devices. Thewireless charger of the present invention may be employed with anysuitable wireless charging technology such as magnetic inductionchargers, magnetic resonance chargers or RF chargers.

One aspect of the present invention is directed to an electrical wiringassembly that includes: a plurality of line terminals configured to becoupled to a source of AC power; a circuit assembly coupled to theplurality of line terminals, the circuit assembly including a controlcircuit coupled to at least one electro-magnetic coil, the controlcircuit being configured to provide an electrical drive signal to the atleast one electro-magnetic coil in accordance with a predeterminedwireless charging regimen, the at least one electro-magnetic coil beingconfigured to propagate a magnetic field in accordance with theelectrical drive signal; and a wall plate assembly configured toaccommodate the circuit assembly therewithin, the wall plate assemblyincluding a charging interface region configured to accommodate aportable electronic device, the charging interface region beingconfigured to position the portable electronic device proximate the atleast one electro-magnetic coil so that the portable electronic deviceis disposed within the propagated magnetic field in accordance with thepredetermined wireless charging regimen.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises an electrical wiringdevice, and wherein the wall plate assembly further comprises anelectrical wiring device region configured to accommodate the electricalwiring device.

In one version of the embodiment, the electrical wiring device isselected from a group of electrical wiring devices that include anoutlet receptacle, an electric switch, a ground fault circuitinterrupter (GFCI), an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI), a transientvoltage surge suppressor (TVSS), a surge protective device (SPD), adimmer, a fan speed control, a night light, a low voltage port, or a USBport.

In one version of the embodiment, the electrical wiring device isconfigured to be installed in an outlet box attached to a wallstructure, the wall plate assembly including a mounting portionconfigured to attach the wall plate assembly to the electrical wiringdevice or the wall structure.

In one version of the embodiment, the wall plate assembly is configuredto substantially conceal the mounting portion after installation.

In one embodiment, the charging interface region includes a cradleportion, the cradle portion being configured to accommodate the portableelectronic device.

In one version of the embodiment, a position of the cradle portion isuser adjustable.

In one version of the embodiment, the cradle portion includes at leastone spring-loaded gripper configured to clamp the portable electronicdevice against an outer surface of the charging interface region the atleast one spring-loaded gripper is configured to accommodate a range ofportable electronic device sizes.

In one version of the embodiment, the at least one spring-loaded gripperincludes two grippers whose motions are controlled in equal and oppositedirections by a linkage structure to accommodate the portable electronicdevice.

In one version of the embodiment, the circuit assembly further includesan electrical switch coupled to the cradle portion, the electricalswitch activating the electrical drive signal when the cradle portion ispositioned to accommodate the portable electronic device.

In one version of the embodiment, the electrical drive signal isprovided to the at least one electro-magnetic coil when there is apredetermined communication signal provided by the portable electronicdevice to a receiver disposed in the circuit assembly.

In one version of the embodiment, the electrical drive signal stopsbeing provided when the predetermined communication signal interruptsdue to a battery disposed in the portable electronic device reaching acharged state.

In one version of the embodiment, the control circuit is configured toprevent resumption of the electrical drive signal for a predeterminedperiod of time after the portable electronic device has reached thecharged state.

In one embodiment, the electrical drive signal is provided to the atleast one electro-magnetic coil when there is a predeterminedcommunication signal provided by the portable electronic device to areceiver disposed in the circuit assembly.

In one version of the embodiment, the electrical drive signal stopsbeing provided when the predetermined communication signal interruptsdue to a battery disposed in the portable electronic device reaching acharged state.

In one version of the embodiment, the control circuit is configured toprevent resumption of the electrical drive signal for a predeterminedperiod of time after the portable electronic device has reached thecharged state.

In one embodiment, the control circuit includes a power supply circuit.

In one embodiment, the wall plate assembly includes a mounting portionconfigured to be coupled to a wall having a planar wall surface, thecharging interface region having a substantially planar outer surfaceconfigured to accommodate the portable electronic device, the outersurface being substantially parallel to the wall surface.

In one embodiment, the wall plate assembly includes a mounting portionconfigured to be coupled to a mounting surface, and wherein the charginginterface region includes a surface inclined relative to the mountingsurface.

In one version of the embodiment, an inclination angle of the surface isuser adjustable.

In one version of the embodiment, the device further comprises anelectrical wiring device, and wherein the wall plate assembly furthercomprises an electrical wiring device region having an outer surface,wherein the outer surface is substantially parallel with the mountingsurface.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises an electrical wiringdevice, and wherein the wall plate assembly further comprises anelectrical wiring device region, the user accessible electrical wiringdevice region and the charging interface region having outer surfacesthat are substantially co-planar.

In one embodiment, the wall plate assembly includes a mounting portionconfigured to be coupled to a mounting surface, and wherein the charginginterface region is recessed relative to the mounting surface.

In one embodiment, the predetermined wireless charging regimen includesa magnetic induction charging regimen, a resonant inductive chargingregimen, or an RF wireless charging regimen.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises a power supply circuitcoupled to the circuit assembly, the power supply circuit beingconfigured to convert an AC power signal provided by the source of ACpower into a low voltage power signal.

In one version of the embodiment, the device further includes anelectrical wiring device, wherein the wall plate assembly furthercomprises an electrical wiring device region configured to accommodatethe electrical wiring device, the power supply circuit being disposed inthe electrical wiring device.

In one version of the embodiment, the power supply circuit is coupled toat least one low voltage output port.

In one version of the embodiment, the charging interface region isconfigured to hold a rechargeable portable device receiving power via aplug deriving power from the at least one low voltage output port.

In one version of the embodiment, the at least one low voltage outputport is disposed in the electrical wiring device region.

In one version of the embodiment, the at least one low voltage outputport is disposed between two receptacles disposed in the electricalwiring device region.

In one embodiment, the charging interface region includes a mountingportion configured to be coupled to a wall mounting surface, themounting portion being substantially flush with respect to the wallmounting surface.

In one version of the embodiment, the mounting portion includes one ormore fastening elements configured to affix the charging interfaceregion to the wall mounting surface.

In one version of the embodiment, the wall plate assembly furthercomprises an electrical wiring device region configured to accommodatean electrical wiring device, the electrical wiring device beingconfigured to be disposed within a device box installed within the wallmounting surface.

In one embodiment, the electrical wiring device includes a power supplycoupled to a low voltage port, at least a portion of the circuitassembly being configured to receive a power input signal from the powersupply.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an electricalwiring assembly that includes: a plurality of line terminals configuredto be coupled to a source of AC power; a circuit assembly coupled to theplurality of line terminals, the circuit assembly including a controlcircuit coupled to at least one electro-magnetic coil, the controlcircuit being configured to provide an electrical drive signal to the atleast one electro-magnetic coil in accordance with a predeterminedwireless charging regimen, the at least one electro-magnetic coil beingconfigured to propagate a magnetic field in accordance with theelectrical drive signal; and a wall plate assembly configured toaccommodate the circuit assembly therewithin, the wall plate assemblyincluding a charging interface region configured to accommodate aportable electronic device so that the portable electronic device isdisposed within the propagated magnetic field in accordance with thepredetermined wireless charging regimen and an electrical wiring device,the wall plate assembly further comprising an electrical wiring deviceregion configured to accommodate the electrical wiring device.

In one embodiment, the electrical wiring device is configured to beinstalled in an outlet box attached to a wall structure, the wall plateassembly including a mounting portion configured to attach the wallplate assembly to the electrical wiring device or the wall structure.

In one embodiment, the wall plate assembly is configured tosubstantially conceal the mounting portion after installation.

In one embodiment, the wall plate assembly includes a user adjustablecradle portion being configured to position the portable electronicdevice proximate the at least one electro-magnetic coil.

In one version of the embodiment, the circuit assembly further includesan electrical switch coupled to the cradle portion, the electricalswitch activating the electrical drive signal when the cradle portion ispositioned to accommodate the portable electronic device.

In one embodiment, the electrical drive signal is provided uponsuccessful communication between the portable electronic device and areceiver disposed in the circuit assembly.

In one embodiment, an outer wall of the charging interface region or anouter wall of the wiring device region is parallel to a wall surface towhich the wall plate assembly is mounted.

In one embodiment, circuit assembly includes a power supply circuitdisposed in the electrical wiring device, the power supply circuit beingcoupled to at least one low voltage output port.

In one version of the embodiment, the at least one low voltage outputport is disposed adjacent at least one receptacle disposed in theelectrical wiring device region.

In one embodiment, the electrical wiring device includes a pair ofmounting ears configured for attaching the electrical wiring device toan outlet box, the charging interface region not being disposed betweenthe pair of mounting ears.

In one version of the embodiment, the outlet box is a single gang outletbox.

In one version of the embodiment, the circuit assembly includes a powersupply circuit disposed in the electrical wiring device coupled to atleast one low voltage output port disposed between the pair of mountingears.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe detailed description which follows, and in part will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognizedby practicing the invention as described herein, including the detaileddescription which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are merely exemplary of theinvention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework forunderstanding the nature and character of the invention as it isclaimed. It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoingconcepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below(provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplatedas being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. Inparticular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at theend of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventivesubject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated thatterminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in anydisclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning mostconsistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodimentsof the invention and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples and operation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the sameparts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed uponillustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A is a front isometric view of an electrical wiring assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a rear isometric view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a front isometric view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 1A with a portable electronic device in a chargingposition;

FIG. 1D is a side elevation view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 1A with the portable electronic device in the chargingposition;

FIG. 1E is another side elevation view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 1A with the portable electronic device in the chargingposition;

FIG. 1F is an exploded view of the electrical wiring assembly depictedin FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 2A-2E are side elevation views of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 1A illustrating an adjustable ratcheting feature;

FIG. 3A is a front isometric view of an electrical wiring assembly inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a rear isometric view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a side elevation view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 3A with the portable electronic device in the chargingposition;

FIG. 3D is another side elevation view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 3A with the portable electronic device in the chargingposition;

FIG. 3E is an exploded view of the electrical wiring assembly depictedin FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a front isometric view of an electrical wiring assembly inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B is a rear isometric view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is an exploded view of the electrical wiring assembly depictedin FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a front isometric view of an electrical wiring assembly inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5B is a rear isometric view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a front isometric view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 5A with a portable electronic device in a chargingposition;

FIG. 5D is a side elevation view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 5A with the portable electronic device in the chargingposition;

FIG. 5E is an exploded view of the electrical wiring assembly depictedin FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a front isometric view of an electrical wiring assembly inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6B is a rear isometric view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is an exploded view of the electrical wiring assembly depictedin FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6D is a side elevation view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 6A with a portable electronic device in a chargingposition;

FIG. 6E is another side elevation view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 6A with the portable electronic device in the chargingposition;

FIGS. 7A-7B are detail sectional views illustrating electrical wiringassembly power interconnections in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a front isometric view of an electrical wiring assembly inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a rear isometric view of an electrical wiring assembly inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a rear isometric view of an electrical wiring assembly inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11A is a front isometric view of an electrical wiring device inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11B is a rear isometric view of the electrical wiring devicedepicted in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11C is an exploded view of the electrical wiring device depicted inFIG. 11A;

FIG. 11D is an exploded view of an AC module portion of the electricalwiring device depicted in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is a front view of an electrical wiring device in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12B is an exploded view of the electrical wiring device depicted inFIG. 12A;

FIGS. 13A-13B include a front view and an exploded view, respectively,of an electrical charger wiring device in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 14A-14B include a front view and an exploded view, respectively,of an electrical charger wiring device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 15A is a front view of a wall box assembly in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15B is a top view of the wall box assembly depicted in FIG. 15A;

FIG. 16A is a front view of a wall box assembly in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16B is a top view of the wall box assembly depicted in FIG. 16A;

FIG. 16C is a front elevation view of the wall box assembly depicted inFIG. 16A with the portable electronic device in the charging position;

FIG. 17A is a front isometric view of a wall plate assembly inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17B is a front elevation view of the wall plate assembly depictedin FIG. 17A;

FIG. 18A is a front isometric view of an electrical wiring assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18B is a rear isometric view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 18A;

FIG. 18C is a front isometric view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 18A with a portable electronic device in a chargingposition;

FIG. 18D is a side elevation view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 18A with the portable electronic device in the chargingposition;

FIG. 18E is another side elevation view of the electrical wiringassembly depicted in FIG. 18A with the portable electronic device in thecharging position;

FIG. 18F is an exploded view of the electrical wiring assembly depictedin FIG. 18A;

FIGS. 19A-19D are various views of an electrical wiring assemblyfeaturing an electric switch wiring device in accordance with theinvention;

FIGS. 20A-20B are detail views illustrating a method for fastening anantenna wall plate to a mounting surface in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 21 is a detail view illustrating another method for fastening anantenna wall plate to a mounting surface in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 22 is a detail view illustrating another method for fastening anantenna wall plate to a mounting surface in accordance with theinvention;

FIGS. 23A-23B are detail views illustrating a holder for accommodatingportable electronic devices of varying sizes;

FIGS. 24A-24D include various isometric views of an electrical chargerwiring device in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 25A-25C include various isometric views of an electrical chargerwiring device in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 26A-26D include various isometric views of an electrical chargerwiring device in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 27A-27B include various isometric views of an electrical chargerwiring device in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 28A-28B include isometric views of an electrical wiring assemblyin accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 29A-29B include isometric views of an electrical wiring assemblyin accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 30 includes an isometric view of an electrical wiring assembly inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 31 includes an isometric view of an electrical wiring assembly inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 32A-32B include isometric views of an electrical wiring assemblyin accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 33A is a front isometric view of an electrical wiring assembly inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 33B is a rear isometric view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 33A;

FIG. 33C is a front isometric view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 33A with a portable electronic device in a chargingposition;

FIG. 33D is a side elevation view of the electric wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 33A with a portable electronic device in a chargingposition;

FIG. 33E is an exploded view of the electrical wiring assembly depictedin FIG. 33A.

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a wireless chargingdevice with a lock-out timer circuit in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 35 is a diagrammatic depiction of an electrical wiring assembly inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 36 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a wireless chargingdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplaryembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.An exemplary embodiment of the electrical assembly of the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 1A, and is designated generally throughout byreference numeral 100.

In accordance with the invention, the present invention for anelectrical wiring assembly 100 may include an electrical wiring device10 that is configured to be mounted to a device box. A set of electricalterminals 10-14 are at least partially disposed in the device housingconfigured for connection to AC distribution wires in the device box.The assembly includes a wall plate assembly 30, a wall plate housingassembly 300 or a wall box assembly 300 that is configured toaccommodate the electrical wiring device 10. The wall plate assembly 30may further include a wall plate 30-1 for the electrical wiring devicethat may be integrally formed with an antenna housing 20-2. The wallplate 30-1 may be coupled to the antenna housing back body 20-2 to thusenclose an antenna assembly 20 therein. The antenna assembly 20 mayfurther include a circuit assembly 20-1 that has at least oneelectro-magnetic coil 20-10 disposed within the antenna housing 20-2.The circuit assembly 20-1 is configured to be coupled to the set ofelectrical terminals 10-14 so that the electro-magnetic coil 20-10propagates a magnetic field via the wall plate portion 30-1.

Embodiments of the electrical wiring assembly of the present inventionmay include some or all of the following components:

Parts List Ref. No. Component Description Ref. No. Component Description100  Electrical Wiring Assembly 40 Low Voltage supply cord 50 AC powerCord 60 AC Power Connection Fingers 1 Portable electronic device 70Cradle 2 Fastener(s) 70-1 Cradle gripper 3 Rear wall mount 70-2 BottomPortion 4 PSA 70-3 Portable device cradle 70-4 Cradle pad 70-5 CradleLedge 70-6 Cradle Grippers 70-7 Cradle rack 70-8 Cradle pinion 70-9Cradle spring 10  Electrical wiring device 20 Antenna Assembly 10-2 BackBody 20-1 Circuit Ass'y 10-4 Front cover 20-2 Antenna back body 10-6 20Areceptacle 20-20 Antenna Back Body plug opening 10-8 USB Port 20-22Ratchet Recess  10-12 Mounting Ears  20-26 Hinge slot  10-14 Wiringterminals  20-24 Ratchet Steps  10-16 AC/Low power conversion Ass'y 20-4Antenna PCB  10-160 DC Power Jacks  20-40 Antenna plug Receptacle 10-161 AC PCB Ass'y 20-6 Shielding Structure  10-162 Side Stop member20-8 Antenna lead  10-164 Insulator tray 20-9 Embedded Controller 10-166 Push release mechanism  20-10 Electro-magnetic coil (not used)20-10-1 Electro-magnetic coil No. 1 11  Electric wall switch device20-10-2 Electro-magnetic coil No. 2 20-10-3 Electro-magnetic coil No. 3 20-11 Communications Interface  20-12 Memory  20-13 Sensor 30  WallPlate Assembly  30-14 wall plate 30-1 Wall plate  30-142 Screwless wallplate frame 30-2 Wall plate portion for electrical  30-144 Wall platehinge device  30-16 Recessed wall plate compartment  30-20 Electricaldevice opening  30-160 Recessed Electrical device 30-3 Wall plateportion for Antenna opening  30-20 Frame opening  30-162 Recessedantenna device  30-34 Frame opening 30-4 Side wall  30-34 Frame 30-6Antenna logo plate  30-60 Antenna logo recess 30-8 Ratchet  30-80Ratchet Catch 30-9 Snap elements 300  Wall Plate Housing Assembly 3000 Wall box assembly 300-2  Back body sub-plate 3000-1  Interiorcompartment 300-20 Electrical wiring device opening 3000-2  Wall boxframe 300-20-1 Recessed Region for terminals 3000-4  Mounting surface300-22 Antenna frame opening 3000-6  Frame member 300-24 Wiring terminalopening 3000-8  Oblique device opening 300-26 Antenna back body 3000-10 Frontal device opening 300-28 Mounting hinge 3000-12  Mounting elements300-3  Pivot Antenna housing 300-4  Front wall plate cover 300-40 Wiringterminal 300-42 Pigtail wires for wiring 300-44 AC power inputreceptacle 300-5  Fastener aperture 300-6  Antenna logo plate 300-60Antenna logo recess 300-7  Wall mount catch 300-8  Electrical wiringdevice opening 300-10 Assembly frame 300-12 Cradle ledge 300-14 Cradlepad 300-30 Antenna housing opening 300-23 Hinge slots 300-32 Uprightposts

As embodied herein, and depicted in FIG. 1A, a front isometric view ofan electrical wiring assembly 100 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention is disclosed. The electrical assembly includes a wallplate assembly 30 that is configured to accommodate an electrical wiringdevice 10 and an antenna assembly 20 (not shown in this view). The wallplate assembly 30 includes an integrally formed wall plate 30-1 thatfurther includes an electrical wiring device wall plate portion 30-2 andan antenna assembly wall plate portion 30-3. The integrally formed wallplate also includes a side wall 30-4 that has a substantially triangular(in actuality, it has a pentagonal shape; two of the minor sidesfunction as stand-offs); i.e., it includes a first major side that isconfigured to abut a wall surface and a second major side that extendsat an angle so that the antenna wall plate portion 30-3 is inclined.

The wall plate assembly 30 also includes a device cradle 30-10 thatincludes a cradle pad 30-100. The cradle pad 30-100 is comprised of amaterial that has a relatively high coefficient of friction. An antennalogo plate 30-6 is disposed on the antenna assembly wall plate portion30-3 within a recessed portion (30-60). The plate 30-6 is also comprisedof a material that has a relatively high coefficient of friction. Thus,a portable electronic device under charge that is resting in the cradle30-10 and propped against the antenna wall plate portion 30-3 willremain in place (due to the frictional forces exceeding gravitationalforces).

The electrical wiring device wall plate portion 30-2 has an opening30-20 formed therein to accommodate the electrical wiring device 10.According to the present invention, an electrical wiring device may beconfigured as an outlet receptacle or as a protective device, such as aground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), an arc fault circuitinterrupter (AFCI), a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS), or asurge protective device (SPD). Other electrical wiring device examplesinclude dimmers, fan speed controls, night lights, low voltage ports, orUSB ports. Finally, each of these wiring device types may be found inmix-and-match combinations with other kinds of these wiring devices. Forexample, a GFCI/AFCI combination device may be included within a singlehousing. The example in FIG. 1A shows an outlet receptacle and a USBcombination.

Referring to FIG. 1B, a rear isometric view of the electrical wiringassembly 100 depicted in FIG. 1A is disclosed. The electrical wiringdevice 10 is shown extending through the opening 30-20 so that thewiring terminals are accessible for AC wiring. In practice, theelectrical wiring device 10 is mounted to a single gang device box viathe mounting ears 10-12 after the AC wiring is connected to the wiringterminals. In this embodiment, the electrical wiring device includes apair of 15 A/20 A receptacles 10-6 and a pair of USB ports 10-8 forcharging the portable device by way of cord terminated with a USB plugwhen inserted in one of the ports 10-8. The USB ports 10-8 are poweredby an AC/DC converter circuit inside electrical wiring device 10 (notshown). A DC power cord 40 is coupled to the AC/DC converter via anopening in the side of the electrical wiring device 10. The opposite endof the cord 40 includes a plug that is configured to be inserted intothe antenna plug opening 20-20 disposed at the top end of the antennaback body 20-2. In an alternate embodiment, the wiring device 10 has asocket in its side wall that is coupled to the AC/DC converter and cord40 includes plugs at both ends for interconnecting the two sockets (notshown.) In another embodiment, cord 40 passes through an opening inantenna back body 20-2 and is terminated with a plug that mates with asocket in wiring device 10.

Of course, the antenna back body 20-2 is configured to form a rearvolume together with the antenna wall plate portion 30-3 and the sidewall 30-4. Moreover, the antenna back body 20-2 is configured to beconnected to the inside of the antenna wall plate portion 30-3 tocomplete the antenna assembly 20 enclosure.

Note that the portable device cradle 30-10 is coupled to a ratchetmember 30-8 on each side thereof. The ratchet members 30-8 allow thecradle 30-10—and hence the portable device 1—to be adjusted up or downso that the antenna coil in the antenna housing 20-2 substantiallyaligns with the antenna coil disposed in the portable device 1.Specifically, each ratchet 30-8 is disposed within a recess 20-22 formedin a side portion of the antenna back body 20-2. Each ratchet 30-8 alsoincludes a catch element 30-80 disposed on the ratchet 30-8 end oppositethe cradle 30-10. The catch member 30-80 is configured to move betweenthe ratchet steps 20-24 that are formed in the ratchet recess regions20-22.

Referring to FIG. 1C, a front isometric view of the electrical wiringassembly 100 depicted in FIG. 1A is disclosed with a portable electronicdevice in a charging position. This view is identical to FIG. 1A withthe exception that a portable device 1 (e.g., a cell phone) is shownresting on the cradle 30-10.

Referring to FIG. 1D, a side elevation view of the electrical wiringassembly 100 depicted in FIG. 1A is disclosed. In this view, a portableelectronic device is shown in the charging position. As noted above, theside wall 30-4 has a substantially triangular (again, it actually has apentagonal shape; but two of the smaller sides function as stand-offs)shape; thus, the antenna wall plate 30-3 is inclined at an angle θrelative to the substantially vertical wall surface. The angle θ may bewithin a range substantially between 0° and 20°. Referring to FIG. 1E,another side elevation view of the electrical wiring assembly 100depicted in FIG. 1A is disclosed. Again, the portable electronic deviceis shown in the charging position.

As embodied herein and depicted in FIG. 1F, an exploded view of theelectrical wiring assembly 100 depicted in FIG. 1A is shown. This viewshows with more clarity the wall plate 30-1 that further includes anelectrical wiring device wall plate portion 30-2 that is integrallyformed with the antenna assembly wall plate portion 30-3. The wall plateportion 30-3 includes a recessed region 30-60 that is configured toaccommodate the antenna bearing plate 30-6. The antenna housing 20-2includes a circuit assembly 20-1 that is disposed within the spaceformed by the antenna back body member 20-2 and the interior wall ofplate 30-3. The antenna housing 20-2 is further protected by the sidewall 30-4.

The circuit assembly 20-1 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 20-4.The PCB 20-4 includes various control circuits (not visible in thisview) disposed on the back side thereof. The front side includes ashielding structure 20-6 that accommodates a single antenna coil 20-10.The shielding structure 20-6 prevents a magnetic field from heating anymetallic structures behind the assembly 100 (e.g., a metallic device boxor electronic components). The PCB 20-4 also includes a plug receptacle20-40 that is configured to accommodate the plug from the DC supply cord40. Specifically, the DC supply cord will provide a DC supply voltage(e.g., +5 DCV) for the antenna coil and the control circuitry.

The other components of the assembly 100 were described above in detailand thus any further description would be repetitive and superfluous.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2E, side elevation views of the electrical wiringassembly 100 depicted in FIG. 1A are shown to illustrate the adjustableratcheting mechanism 30-8. In these views, the distance between thebottom of the wall plate 30-1 and the top surface of cradle 30-8 isshown as dimension “x”. The dimension x can be made to vary depending onthe size of the portable electronic device 1 disposed on the cradle. Inother words, in a single antenna coil embodiment, the user may desire toadjust the x dimension so that the primary and secondary coils (i.e.,the charger coil 20-10 and the portable device coil) are in closeproximity to each other.

As embodied herein, and depicted in FIG. 3A, a front isometric view ofan electrical wiring assembly 100 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention is disclosed. As before, the electrical assembly 100includes a wall plate assembly 30 that is configured to accommodate anelectrical wiring device 10 and an antenna assembly 20 (not shown inthis view). The wall plate assembly 30 includes an integrally formedwall plate 30-1 that is configured to include an electrical wiringdevice wall plate portion 30-2 and an antenna assembly wall plateportion 30-3. The integrally formed wall plate 30-1 also includes a sidewall 30-4 has a substantially triangular shape so that the antenna wallplate 30-3 is inclined. The electrical wiring device wall plate portion30-2 has an opening 30-20 formed therein to accommodate the electricalwiring device 10.

The wall plate assembly 30 also includes a device cradle ledge 30-12that again includes a cradle pad 30-100. The cradle pad 30-100 iscomprised of a material that has a relatively high coefficient offriction. As before, the antenna logo plate 30-6 is disposed on theantenna assembly wall plate portion 30-3 within a recessed portion(30-60). The plate 30-6 is also comprised of a material that has arelatively high coefficient of friction. Thus, a portable electronicdevice under charge that is resting in the cradle ledge 30-12 andpropped against the antenna wall plate 30-3 will remain in place (due tothe frictional forces exceeding gravitational forces). As describedbelow, the antenna housing includes three primary coils that areconfigured to provide a more robust magnetic field, thus the need for anadjustable cradle is eliminated.

Referring to FIG. 3B, a rear isometric view of the electrical wiringassembly depicted in FIG. 3A is disclosed. The electrical wiring device10 extends through the opening 30-20 so that the wiring terminals areaccessible for AC wiring. During installation, the electrical wiringdevice 10 is mounted to the device box via the mounting ears 10-12 afterthe AC wiring is connected to the wiring terminals. In this embodiment,the electrical wiring device includes an AC/DC converter circuit (notshown). A DC power cord 40 is coupled to the AC/DC converter via anopening or a socket in the side of the electrical wiring device 10. Theopposite end of the cord 40 includes a plug that is configured to beinserted into the antenna plug opening 20-20 disposed at the top end ofthe antenna back body 20-2. The antenna back body 20-2 is configured toform a rear volume together with the front antenna wall plate portion30-3 and the side wall 30-4. Moreover, the antenna back body 20-2 isconfigured to be connected to the inside of the antenna wall plateportion 30-3 to complete the antenna assembly 20 enclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3C, a side elevation view of the electrical wiringassembly 100 depicted in FIG. 3A is disclosed. In this view, a portableelectronic device is shown in the charging position. The antenna wallplate 30-3 is again inclined at an angle θ relative to the wall surfaceby virtue of the shape of the side wall 30-4. The angle θ may be withina range substantially between 0° and 20°. Referring to FIG. 3D, anotherside elevation view of the electrical wiring assembly 100 depicted inFIG. 3A is disclosed. Again, the portable electronic device is shown inthe charging position.

Referring to FIG. 3E, an exploded view of the electrical wiring assembly100 depicted in FIG. 3A is disclosed. This view shows the wall plate30-1 with more clarity. Again, the electrical wiring device wall plateportion 30-2 is integrally formed with the antenna assembly wall plateportion 30-3. The wall plate portion 30-3 includes a recessed region30-60 that is configured to accommodate the antenna bearing plate 30-6.The cradle ledge 30-12 is disposed along the bottom edge of plate 30-3.

The antenna housing 20-2 includes a circuit assembly 20-1 that isdisposed within the space formed by the antenna back body member 20-2and the interior wall of plate 30-3. The antenna housing 20-2 is furtherprotected by the side wall 30-4.

The circuit assembly 20-1 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 20-4.The PCB 20-4 includes various control circuits (not visible in thisview) disposed on the back side thereof. The front side includes ashielding structure 20-6 that accommodates a plurality of antenna coils20-10. The shielding structure 20-6 prevents a magnetic field fromheating any metallic structures behind the assembly 100 (e.g., ametallic device box or an electronic component). In the example shown inthis view, the antenna is comprised on three coils (20-10-1, 20-10-2,and 20-10-3). Again, the PCB 20-4 also includes a plug receptacle 20-40that is configured to accommodate the plug from the DC supply cord 40.Specifically, the DC supply cord will provide a DC supply voltage (e.g.,+5 DCV) for the antenna coil and the control circuitry.

As embodied herein and depicted in FIG. 4A, a front isometric view of anelectrical wiring assembly 100 in accordance with another embodiment ofthe invention is disclosed. In this embodiment the electrical assembly100 includes a wall plate housing assembly 300. The wall plate housingassembly 300 includes a back body sub-plate 300-2 coupled to a singlewall plate cover 300-4 to form the wall plate housing assembly 300. Theelectrical wiring device 10 and the antenna assembly 20 (not shown inthis view) are substantially disposed within the housing 300. Note thatthe rear portion of the electrical wiring device is open at the rear toallow for access to the AC wiring terminals 10-14. The back bodysub-plate 300-2 includes a side wall that has a substantially triangularshape so that the entire wall plate cover 300-4 is inclined relative tothe mounting (wall) surface. The wall plate cover 300-4 has an opening300-20 formed therein to accommodate the electrical wiring device 10,and a recessed portion 300-60 configured to retain the antenna logoplate 300-6.

The wall plate cover 300-4 also includes a device cradle ledge 300-12 atleast below the antenna assembly 20 end of wall plate cover 300-4 and acradle pad 300-14. The antenna logo plate 300-6 is disposed on the wallplate cover 300-4 within a recessed portion (30-60) for identifying theposition of the antenna assembly 20 within the housing 300. The plate300-6 is comprised of a material that has a relatively high coefficientof friction for the reasons provided above. As described below, theantenna housing includes three primary coils that are configured toprovide a more robust magnetic field, thus the need for an adjustablecradle is eliminated.

Referring to FIG. 4B, a rear isometric view of the electrical wiringassembly 100 depicted in FIG. 4A is disclosed. The electrical wiringdevice 10 extends through the opening 300-20 into recessed region300-20-1 so that the wiring terminals 10-14 are accessible for ACwiring. As before, the electrical wiring device 10 is mounted to thedevice box after the AC wiring is connected to the wiring terminals10-14.

Referring to FIG. 4C, an exploded view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 4A is disclosed. The wall plate housing 300 is shown toinclude a rear sub-plate 300-2 that includes an electrical wiring deviceportion and an antenna housing portion 300-24. The electrical wiringdevice portion is shown to include the device opening 300-20 and therear recessed region 300-20-1. The antenna housing portion 300-24 takesthe place of the antenna back body 20-2 used in the previousembodiments. In other words, the antenna assembly 20 is disposeddirectly within the housing compartment 300-24. The front wall platecover 300-4 is disposed over the sub-plate frame 300-2 to complete theenclosure. Like previous embodiments, the front cover 300-4 includes arecessed region 300-60 that is configured to accommodate the antennalogo plate 300-6. A cradle ledge 300-12 is disposed along at least aportion of the bottom edge of the front cover 300-4.

The antenna housing 20-2 includes a circuit assembly 20-1 that isdisposed within the space formed between the housing compartment 300-24and the interior wall of the front wall plate cover 300-4. The circuitassembly 20-1 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 20-4 that hasvarious control circuits (not visible in this view) disposed on the backside thereof. The front side includes a shielding structure 20-6 thataccommodates a plurality of antenna coils 20-10. The shielding structure20-6 prevents a magnetic field from heating any metallic structuresbehind the assembly 100 (e.g., a metallic device box or an electroniccomponent). In the example shown in this view, the antenna is comprisedon three coils (20-10-1, 20-10-2, and 20-10-3). As before, the PCB 20-4also includes a plug receptacle 20-40 that is configured to accommodatethe plug from the DC supply cord 40. Specifically, the DC supply cordwill provide a DC supply voltage (e.g., +5 VDC for the antenna coil andthe control circuitry). Note that the electrical wiring device in FIG.4C does not include USB ports 10-8. While the high voltage to lowvoltage (i.e., AC/DC, AC/AC or DC/DC) converter circuitry can providelow voltage to both the USB ports 10-18 and the antenna assembly, itneed not provide the USB ports 10-18. This optional embodiment isdepicted in FIG. 4C and elsewhere in the drawing Figures.

Referring to FIG. 5A, a front isometric view of an electrical wiringassembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention isdisclosed. In this embodiment, the electrical assembly 100 includes anantenna wall plate assembly 30 that is arranged vertically. To bespecific, the wall plate assembly 30 includes a wall plate 30-14 that iscoupled to that antenna back plate 20-2 by a hinge element 30-144. Theantenna assembly 20 is disposed between the antenna back plate 20-2 andthe antenna wall plate 30-3. In one embodiment, the antenna wall plateassembly 30 is configured to rotate outwardly from a position that issubstantially flush with the wall surface so that it is inclined at aninclination angle θ relative to the wall surface. The inclination angleθ is within a range between 0° and about 20°. In another embodiment, theantenna wall plate assembly 30 rotates from a closed “stowed” positionwhere the assembly substantially hides wiring device 10 to an open “inuse” position where the antenna wall plate assembly 30 is inclined at aninclination angle θ relative to the wall. In this embodiment, theantenna wall plate assembly 30 rotates downwardly by an angle φ so thatit is inclined at an inclination angle θ relative to the wall surface.Thus, the rotation angle φ is within a range between 0° and about 160°.Thus, as one might expect, the sum of the angles θ, φ should be about180°.

The antenna wall plate 30-3 again includes a device cradle ledge 30-12that again includes a cradle pad 30-100. The cradle pad 30-100 iscomprised of a material that has a relatively high coefficient offriction. As before, the antenna logo plate 30-6 is disposed on theantenna wall plate 30-3 within a recessed portion (30-60). The logoplate 30-6 is also comprised of a material that has a relatively highcoefficient of friction. Thus, a portable electronic device under chargethat is resting in the cradle ledge 30-12 and propped against theantenna wall plate 30-3 will remain in place (due to the frictionalforces exceeding gravitational forces). As described below, the antennahousing 20-2 includes three primary coils that are configured to providea more robust magnetic field, thus the need for an adjustable cradle iseliminated.

Referring to FIG. 5B, a rear isometric view of the electrical wiringassembly depicted in FIG. 5A is disclosed. The electrical wiring device10 extends through an opening in the electrical wiring device wall plate30-14 so that the wiring terminals are accessible for AC wiring. Again,the electrical wiring device 10 is mounted to the device box by themounting ears 10-12 after the AC wiring is connected to the wiringterminals. In this embodiment, the electrical wiring device includes anAC/low voltage converter circuit (not shown) so that a low voltage powercord 40 can be connected between the electrical wiring device 10 and theantenna wall plate assembly 30. The rear view of FIG. 5B clearly showsthat antenna assembly mounting hinge 30-144 is coupled between theantenna back plate 20-2 and the lower mounting ear 10-12.

Referring to FIG. 5C, a front isometric view of the electrical wiringassembly 100 depicted in FIG. 5A with a portable electronic device 1 ina charging position is disclosed. FIG. 5D is a side elevation view ofthe electrical wiring assembly 100 depicted in FIG. 5C; i.e., theelectrical wiring assembly 100 is shown with the portable electronicdevice in the charging position.

Referring to FIG. 5E, an exploded view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 5A is disclosed. As shown, the hinge element 30-144 iscoupled between the mounting ears 10-12 and the antenna back body 20-2.The slots 20-26 formed in the back body 20-2 accommodate hinge element30-144. The antenna back body also includes a gap 20-20 thataccommodates the plug 40-1 of the low voltage cord 40 so that it canreadily engage the female low voltage receptacle 20-40 disposed on thelow voltage PCB 20-4.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention hinge element 30-144 may bedisposed on any one of the four edges of the wall plate assembly 30-14.(In this instance, the wall plate 30-14 may include a separate framemember that is coupled to the wiring device 10. Depending on the hingelocation, the antenna assembly 30-3 can rotates downwardly, side-to-sideor upwardly. As before, the angle of inclination (θ) between the wallsurface and antenna wall plate assembly 30 can be 0 to 20 degrees. Inthe embodiments with a lateral hinge, i.e., where the hinge is disposedon one side of the wall plate assembly 30-14, it may be configured tohave a closed or “stowed” position in which the angle of inclination (θ)from the wall surface to the assembly is between 0 to 180°. As before,the wall plate assembly 30-14 may be configured to hide or cover theelectrical wiring device 10 in the stowed position.

In these embodiments the circuit assembly 20-1 is housed between theantenna housing body 20-2 and the antenna wall plate 30-3. As before,the circuit assembly 20-1 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 20-4.The PCB 20-4 includes various control circuits (not visible in thisview) disposed on the back side thereof. The front side includes ashielding structure 20-6 that accommodates a plurality of antenna coils20-10. The shielding structure 20-6 prevents a magnetic field fromheating any metallic structures behind the assembly 100 (e.g., ametallic device box or an electronic component). In the example shown inthis view, the antenna is comprised on three coils (20-10-1, 20-10-2,and 20-10-3). As before, the PCB 20-4 also includes a plug receptacle20-40 that is configured to accommodate the plug from the DC supply cord40. Specifically, the DC supply cord will provide a DC supply voltage(e.g., +5 DCV) for the antenna coil and the control circuitry.

Referring to FIG. 6A, a front isometric view of an electrical wiringassembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention isdisclosed. In this embodiment, the electrical assembly 100 includes awall plate housing assembly 300 that includes an assembly frame 300-2that accommodates the electrical wiring device 10 and the antennahousing 300-3. A device wall plate 30-140 and an antenna wall plate300-4 couple to the assembly frame 300-2 while completing the enclosure.

The antenna wall plate 300-4 includes the cradle ledge 30-12 for thedevice under charge. As before, the antenna logo plate 30-6 is disposedon the antenna assembly wall plate portion 300-4 within a recessedportion (30-60).

Referring to FIG. 6B, a rear isometric view of the electrical wiringassembly depicted in FIG. 6A is disclosed. As before, the electricalwiring device 10 extends through an opening 300-20 so that the wiringterminals are accessible for AC wiring. Note however, that the antennahousing 300-3 is configured to rotationally move within an antenna frameopening 300-22 between a flush position (i.e., flush with the frame) andan inclined position (i.e., a charging position).

Referring to FIG. 6C, an exploded view of the electrical wiring assemblydepicted in FIG. 6A is disclosed. In this embodiment, the wiring device10 is mounted to the device box (not shown) via the frame 300-2. Therear portion of the device 10 extends through the opening 300-20. Thefront wall plate 30-140 includes an opening 300-20 that allows the userto access the front receptacles. The front wall plate 30-140 snaps intothe frame 300-2 to complete the electrical wiring device enclosure.

The antenna housing 300-3 includes an antenna compartment 300-24 thatcontains the AC circuit assembly 20-1. The front wall plate cover 300-4snaps into the antenna compartment 300-24 so that the AC circuitassembly 20-1 is enclosed. The antenna housing 300-3 further includes ahinge 300-26 that can be inserted into either one of the hinge ferrules300-28. The hinge 300-26 is inserted into opposing hinge slots 300-23formed in the upright posts 300-4 that form antenna housing opening300-22.

Referring to FIG. 6D, a side elevation view of the electrical wiringassembly depicted in FIG. 6A is shown with a portable electronic device1 in a charging position. FIG. 6E is the opposing side elevation view ofthe electrical wiring assembly depicted in FIG. 6D with the portableelectronic device 1 in the charging position.

Referring to FIGS. 7A-7B, detail sectional views illustrating electricalwiring assembly power interconnections in accordance with the inventionare disclosed. FIG. 7A, for example, shows the wall plate assembly 30that includes an integral wall plate 30-1 having an electrical wiringdevice wall plate 30-2 and an antenna assembly wall plate 30-3. Asbefore, the low voltage power cord 40 is connected to the electricalwiring device 10. From there, the cord 40 is routed under the electricalwiring device wall plate 30-2 and passes through an aperture in the wallseparating the electrical wiring device 10 from the antenna assembly 20.Once the cord 40 is through the aperture, it can be inserted into theantenna assembly 20.

FIG. 7B shows an arrangement for a wall plate housing assembly 300 suchas the embodiment of FIG. 6, for example. In this type of housingarrangement, the electrical wiring device wall plate 30-2 and theantenna assembly wall plate 30-3 are snapped separately into the backplate 300-2. As before, the low voltage power cord 40 is routed throughan aperture in the wall separating the electrical wiring device 10 fromthe antenna assembly 20 and inserted into the antenna assembly 20.

Referring to FIG. 8, a front isometric view of an electrical wiringassembly 100 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention isdisclosed. This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1except that the antenna assembly 20 is directly wired to an AC powersupply. In this embodiment, the electrical wiring device 10 is an offthe shelf wiring device that does not have to provide special cabling(such as a DC power cord) to the circuit assembly 20-1. Instead, thewall plate includes an aperture (not visible in this view) in the sidewall 30-4 that accommodates an AC power cord 50 terminated with an ACplug 50-1. The AC plug 50-1 can be inserted into the outlet receptacle10. Because the antenna assembly 20 is directly wired to an AC powersupply instead of with low voltage DC as in other embodiments of theinvention, an AC/DC converter is included in the antenna assembly 20 toprovide the circuit assembly 20-1 with a suitable source of power. (Someantenna coils require a lower voltage AC power source. Moreover, thecircuitry 20-1 may require a DC voltage source. Thus, all of theserequirements may be supported by a power supply assembly disposed withinthe antenna housing 300-3).

One application of the embodiment of FIG. 8 is directed to a retrofit ofan existing AC wiring device installation. Once the original or existingwall plate is removed, the wall plate assembly 30 is installed bycoupling the electrical wiring device wall plate 30-2 over the existingwiring device 10. Since the wiring device wall plate 30-2 and theantenna wall plate 30-3 are integrally formed, one need only insert thecorded plug assembly 50 into the device 10 to complete the installation.As those skilled in the art will appreciate any of the electrical wiringassemblies 100 disclosed herein can be configured so that the antennaassembly 20 is directly wired to AC power supply.

Referring to FIG. 9, a rear isometric view of an electrical wiringassembly 100 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention isdisclosed. To illustrate the concept that any of the electrical wiringassemblies 100 disclosed herein can be configured so that the antennaassembly 20 is directly wired to AC power supply, this embodiment is anadaption of the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-C. Moreover, FIG. 9 is verysimilar to FIG. 4B. For brevity's sake, the rear portion of the wallplate housing assembly 300-2 depicted in FIG. 9 includes two alternativeAC wiring termination schemes. The first AC wiring scheme includes theprovision of AC wiring terminals 300-40 on the major rear surface of thehousing 300-2 to which pigtails 300-42 are connected. The second ACwiring method include AC pigtails 300-42 extending from an apertureformed in the major rear surface of the housing 300-2. Either way,pigtails 300-42 are connected to wiring terminals 10-14 or to wires inthe outlet box. The pigtail wires, additional pigtail wires to terminals10-14 and wires inside the outlet box, may be joined together usingtwist-on connectors. As before, because the antenna assembly 20 isdirectly wired to AC power supply, the antenna assembly 20 furtherincludes an AC/AC converter, an AC/DC converter or some other suitablepower supply that is configured to provide the circuit assembly 20-1with suitable (AC and/or DC) power. This embodiment may require use of adouble gang wall box if the power supply circuitry or wiring terminals300-40, pigtail wires or some other feature of antenna assembly 20prevents housing 300-2 from being installed flush with the wall surface.

In reference to the various embodiments described herein, those skilledin the art will appreciate that embodiments of this invention caninclude a suitable power supply disposed in either the electrical wiringdevice, the antenna assembly or both, depending on the functionality ofthe assembly 100. For example, the power supply may be configured toconvert high voltage AC (e.g., 120 VAC) to low voltage AC or converthigh voltage AC to DC in order to provide suitable power to the antennaassembly. In some embodiments shown herein, the power supply circuitrymay be dual-purpose, i.e., it may also be configured to provide asuitable power source to user accessible low voltage ports (e.g., USBports), analog circuits, and/or digital circuitry.

Referring to FIG. 10, another rear isometric view of an electricalwiring assembly is disclosed. FIG. 10 is also very similar to FIG. 4B.In this embodiment, an AC receptacle is formed in the rear of the majorrear surface of the housing 300-2. In this method, one need only inserta corded AC power plug into receptacle 300-44 to provide AC power to theantenna assembly 20. Again, because the antenna assembly 20 is directlywired to AC power supply, the antenna assembly 20 further includes anAC/AC converter, an AC/DC converter or some other suitable power supplythat is configured to provide the circuit assembly 20-1 with suitablepower.

As embodied herein and depicted in FIG. 11A, a front isometric view ofan electrical charging wiring device 10 in accordance with an embodimentof the invention is disclosed. This embodiment may be employed in a formfactor suitable for a modular wiring device system. Reference is made toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/680,675, which is incorporatedherein by reference as though fully set forth in its entirety, for amore detailed explanation of the modular wiring device system. Thewiring device depicted in FIGS. 11A-C can be configured as a two orthree-module device of the type shown in the '675 application and can bedisposed in any of the modular frames (See, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 9-12).

This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-E in that theantenna housing 30-3 is configured to rotationally move within a frameopening 30-20 between a flush position (i.e., flush with the frame30-34) and an inclined position (i.e., a charging position). The frame30-34 is mounted, in this embodiment, to the front of the antennahousing 30-3, which is disposed within the electrical wiring devicehousing 10-2. FIG. 11B is a rear isometric view of the electrical wiringdevice 10 depicted in FIG. 11A. In this view, the rear major surface ofthe housing 10-2 includes AC wiring terminal openings 10-14. Thoseskilled in the art, however, will appreciate that conventional wiringterminals 10-14 (see, e.g., FIG. 1B) may be employed instead.

Referring to FIG. 11C, an exploded view of the electrical wiring devicedepicted in FIG. 11A is disclosed. In this view, the antenna housing maybe removably inserted into the opening 10-16-1. Specifically, the AC/DCconversion assembly 10-16 includes DC power terminals 10-160 that areconfigured as spring loaded push terminals. That is, once the DCterminals (not visible in this view) formed in the rear of the antennahousing are mated with the DC power jacks 10-160, one need only push thefront face plate 30-32 and the antenna assembly 30 will be ejected fromthe opening 10-16-1.

One benefit of this approach relates to the ability of the user toemploy different low power wiring device applications as needed. Forexample, a user may desire to insert an emergency flashlight insert intothe opening 10-16-1 after the portable electronic device has beencharged. This allows the wiring device to fulfil many differentfunctions. Reference is made to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/835,076, which is incorporated herein by reference as though fullyset forth in its entirety, for a more detailed explanation of aremovable night light. Another benefit of this embodiment relates to theability of the user to replace, interchange, or upgrade the antennaassembly with a different antenna assembly as needs change andtechnology evolves. Note that the high voltage wiring remains installedand undisturbed during the antenna replacement process. Thus, theantenna assembly is “modular” in that it is easy to replace.

Referring to FIG. 11D, an exploded view of an AC module portion 10-16 ofthe electrical wiring device depicted in FIG. 11A is disclosed. The ACmodule portion 10-16 includes push release mechanisms 10-166 thatalternately hold the antenna assembly 30 within the housing 10-2 andrelease the antenna assembly 30 when the user decides to employ anotherapplication module. An AC power printed circuit board assembly (AC PCB)10-161 is disposed in the rear part of the housing 10-2. The AC PCB10-161 includes power supply jacks 10-163 that are configured to beinserted into the jacks 10-160 formed in the low power assembly tray110-164. AC PCB 10-161 also includes hardware for AC wiring terminals10-165; the hardware 10-165 is accessible via the terminal openings10-14 (See FIG. 11B). Alternatively, the terminal hardware may beimplemented using conventional AC wiring terminals. The tray member10-164 also accommodates slide stop elements 10-162 which are disposedeither side of the tray 10-164 as shown. The slide stops 10-162 snapinto the housing 10-2 and serve to restrict the travel of the tray10-164 between two positions governed by the release mechanism 10-166.The slide stops 10-162 also provide a snug fit for the antenna assembly30 while allowing it to be completely removed from the tray orreinserted into the tray. The slide stops 10-162, on the other hand, arenot removable from either the tray or the housing 10-2; when the tray10-164 and slide stops 10-162 are installed, no AC wiring or partsassociated with them or AC PCB 10-161 are accessible to the consumereven when the antenna assembly 30 is removed from tray 10-164.

As before, the power supply circuitry disposed within housing 10-2 maybe configured to convert high voltage AC (e.g., 120 VAC) to low voltageAC or convert high voltage AC to DC in order to provide suitable powerto the antenna assembly or any a replacement assembly.

Referring to FIG. 12A, a front view of an electrical wiring device inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention is disclosed. Whilethis embodiment may be employed in a conventional wiring device formfactor for a single gang wall box (See, e.g., FIGS. 8-10), it isfunctionally identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 11A-D. Since likereference numbers are assigned to like parts, and the embodiment ofFIGS. 12A-B is functionally identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 11A-D,further disclosure is unnecessary. Thus, as shown in FIG. 12B—which isan exploded view of the electrical wiring device depicted in FIG.12A—the antenna assembly 30 can be inserted and removed from the wiringdevice housing 10-2 in the manner described above.

Referring to FIGS. 13A-13B, a front view and an exploded view,respectively, of an electrical charger wiring device 200 in accordancewith the invention are disclosed. FIG. 13A is a front view of theelectrical charger wiring device 200. Like a previous embodiment, thisembodiment is in a form factor suitable for a modular wiring devicesystem. Reference is made to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/680,675, which is incorporated herein by reference as though fullyset forth in its entirety, for a more detailed explanation of themodular wiring device system. The wiring device 200 depicted in FIGS.13A-B can be configured as a two or three-module device of the typeshown in the '675 application. While a cradle (e.g., 30-12) for thedevice-under-charge 1 is not shown in this view, those skilled in theart will appreciate that a cradle may be part of the wiring device 200,or part of the wall plate assembly (30, 300 or 3000) as describedherein.

In the exploded view shown in FIG. 13B, the circuitry 20-1 is disposedbetween a front cover 202 and a back body 204. The electrical terminals20-12 are not shown in this view for clarity's sake. Obviously, AC powermust be routed from the AC distribution system to the device 200. Inaddition, the antenna circuit 20-1 is configured as a single antenna20-10 device, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that thedevice 200 can be configured to include an antenna circuit 20-1 with twoor three antennas. As before, the underside of the printed circuit board20-4 may include analog and/or digital control circuitry, a power supplycircuit and other suitable circuitry.

Referring to FIGS. 14A-14B, a front view and an exploded view,respectively, of an electrical charger wiring device 210 in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention is disclosed. This embodimentis in a conventional electrical wiring device form factor. FIG. 14A is afront view of the electrical charger wiring device 210 and includesconventional mounting ears 10-14 disposed between the front cover 212and the back body 214. As before, while a cradle for thedevice-under-charge 1 is not shown in this view, those skilled in theart will appreciate that a cradle (e.g., 30-12) may be part of thewiring device 210, or part of the wall plate assembly (30, 300 or 3000)as described herein.

FIG. 14B is an exploded view of the device 210 and shows the circuitry20-1 disposed between a front cover 212 and a back body 214. Theelectrical terminals 20-12 are not shown in this view for clarity'ssake. Obviously, AC power must be routed from the AC distribution systemto the device 210. In this view, the antenna circuit 20-1 is configuredas a tri-antenna 20-10 device, but those skilled in the art willappreciate that the device 200 can be configured to include an antennacircuit 20-1 with one or two antenna coils. As before, the underside ofthe printed circuit board 20-4 may include analog and/or digital controlcircuitry, a power supply circuit and other suitable circuitry. Themounting strap 10-14 is depicted herein in dashed lines because it maybe configured in any number of ways depending on the device 210realization. In this view, it is shown in a wraparound strap formfactor. In another embodiment, the strap 10-14 may be disposed over topthe circuitry 20-1 and, thus, be configured in a substantially linearthrough strap form factor.

As embodied herein and depicted in FIG. 15A, a front view of a wall boxassembly 3000 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention isdisclosed. This embodiment may be employed in a new constructionapplication. The wall box 3000 includes a framing portion that hasupright frame posts 3000-2 connected to horizontal framing members3000-6. An interior compartment 3000-1 is formed by wall, floor andceiling surfaces 3000-4. The wall surfaces 3000-4 include an opening3000-8 that is dedicated to an AC electrical wiring device and anotheropening 3000-10 that is dedicated to the antenna assembly 30. Note thatthe size of the antenna device opening 3000-10 may vary depending on thesize of the antenna assembly 30 selected by the user. The size of theopening 3000-1 and the antenna assembly 30 may depend on the largesttype of portable electronic device that the user foresees charging.

Referring to FIG. 15B, a top view of the wall box assembly 3000 depictedin FIG. 15A is disclosed. In this view, the electrical wiring device 10is installed in the opening 3000-8 and the antenna assembly 30 isinstalled in the opening 3000-10. In one embodiment, the wiring device10 provides the antenna assembly 30 with DC power (see embodiments ofFIGS. 1-6). In another embodiment, AC power wiring 50 is coupled to theantenna assembly 30 (See, e.g., FIGS. 8-10). The dashed line indicatesthe footprint of the inclined antenna wall plate 30-3 and the cradleledge 30-12. The interior compartment 3000-1 provides a region recessedwithin the wall surface that can accommodates at least one portableelectronic device for wireless charging. Thus, the user places thedevice under charge (DUC) 1 into the interior compartment 3000-1 so thata passerby or pet cannot inadvertently knock the DUC 1 off the cradle.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the wiring deviceembodiments shown in FIGS. 13A-14B and described in the related text maybe employed in the wall box assembly embodiments depicted in FIGS. 15A-Bas stand-alone charger electrical wiring devices.

As embodied herein and depicted in FIG. 16A, a front view of a wall boxassembly 3000 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention isdisclosed. In this view, a modular wall box housing assembly includes aframe portion 3000-6 that is substantially flush with the drywall whenthe assembly 3000 is installed. The frame 3000-6 can include a topaesthetic flange cover 3000-60 and a bottom aesthetic flange cover3000-62. The aesthetic flanges (3000-60, 62) cover mounting flangeportions of the frame 3000-6 so that the mounting screws are hidden fromview. Thus, the flange covers (3000-60, 62) provide an aestheticallypleasing finish that consumers appreciate. Reference is made toco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/247,896, filed on Oct.11, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference as though fully setforth in its entirety, for a more detailed explanation of designerflange covers (3000-60, 62) in accordance with an alternate embodimentof the present invention. In this view, the assembly 3000 is a threegang assembly that includes a recessed region 3000-1 that has threeplanar device mounting surfaces 3000-4, a planar roof portion 3000-3,and a planar floor surface 3000-5. Thus, in this embodiment, theassembly 3000 is a three-gang assembly that can accommodate anycombination of AC wiring devices 10 or antenna assemblies 30. Thus, thisassembly 3000 can include more than one antenna assembly 30.

Referring to FIG. 16B, a top view of the wall box assembly depicted inFIG. 16A is shown with an electrical wiring device 10 installed at eachend and an antenna assembly 30 disposed in the middle. FIG. 16C is afront elevation view of the wall box assembly depicted in FIG. 16A withthe portable electronic device 1 in the charging position.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the wiring deviceembodiments shown in FIGS. 13A-14B and described in the related text maybe employed in the wall box assembly embodiments depicted in FIGS. 16A-Cas stand-alone charger electrical wiring devices.

Referring to FIG. 17A, a front isometric view of a wall plate assembly30 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is disclosed.This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1 except that theantenna assembly 20 is directly wired to the AC power supply. In thisembodiment, the electrical wiring device 10 is an off-the-shelf wiringdevice in that it does not include an AC/DC converter. Thus, the DCpower cord between the wiring device 10 and the antenna assembly 30 isnot required. Instead, the electrical wiring device wall plate portion30-2 includes AC power connection fingers 60 that are configured tocontact the electrical wiring device terminals 10-14 when the wall plate30 is installed. FIG. 17B is a front elevation view of the wall plateassembly depicted in FIG. 17A.

Because the antenna assembly 20 is directly wired to AC power supply,the antenna assembly 20 further includes a suitable power supply thatprovides the circuit assembly 20-1 with suitable power.

Like FIG. 8, one application of the embodiment of FIGS. 17A-B is aretrofit of an existing AC wiring device installation. The user needonly remove the existing wall plate and install the wall plate assembly30. To be specific, once the original or existing wall plate is removed,the electrical wiring device wall plate 30-2 is installed over theexisting wiring device 10 so that the fingers 60 make contact with thewiring terminals 10-14. Since the wiring device wall plate 30-2 and theantenna wall plate 30-3 are integrally formed, the antenna assembly 30is automatically installed once the wall plate 30-2 is installed.

As embodied herein, and depicted in FIG. 18A, a front isometric view ofan electrical wiring assembly 100 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention is disclosed. Like the embodiment of FIGS. 11A-11D and13A-B, this embodiment may be employed in a form factor suitable for amodular wiring device system. Thus, reference is made to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/680,675, which is incorporated herein byreference as though fully set forth in its entirety, for a more detailedexplanation of the modular wiring device system. The components depictedin FIGS. 15A-15B are similar to the components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1F,but it should be appreciated that any of the embodiments depicted hereinmay be employed using the modular system disclosed in the '675application referenced above.

The electrical assembly 100 includes a wall plate assembly 30 that isconfigured to accommodate an electrical wiring device 10 and an antennaassembly 20 (not shown in this view). The wall plate assembly 30includes an integrally formed aesthetic wall plate 30-1 that isconfigured to couple to the frame member 12 (not shown in this view).The aesthetic wall plate 30-1 includes an electrical wiring device wallplate portion 30-2 and an antenna assembly wall plate portion 30-3. Theintegrally formed wall plate also includes a side wall 30-4 having asubstantially triangular shape; i.e., it includes a first major sidethat is configured to abut a wall surface and a second major side thatextends at an angle so that the antenna wall plate 30-3 is inclined.

The wall plate assembly 30 also includes a device cradle 30-10 thatincludes a cradle pad 30-100. The cradle pad 30-100 is comprised of amaterial that has a relatively high coefficient of friction. An antennalogo plate 30-6 is disposed on the antenna assembly wall plate portion30-3 within a recessed portion (30-60). The plate 30-6 is also comprisedof a material that has a relatively high coefficient of friction. Thus,a portable electronic device under charge that is resting in the cradle30-10 and propped against the antenna wall plate 30-3 will remain inplace (due to the frictional forces exceeding gravitational forces).

The electrical wiring device wall plate portion 30-2 has a three modulesized opening 30-20 formed therein to accommodate a two-module sizedelectrical wiring device 10 and a one module sized USB port device 11.According to the present invention, an electrical wiring device 10 maybe configured as an outlet receptacle or as a protective device, such asa ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), an arc fault circuitinterrupter (AFCI), a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS), or asurge protective device (SPD). Other electrical wiring device examplesinclude dimmers, fan speed controls, night lights, low voltage ports, orUSB ports. Finally, each of these wiring device modules may be found inmix-and-match combinations with other kinds of these wiring devices. Forexample, a GFCI/AFCI combination device may be included within a singlehousing.

Referring to FIG. 18B, a rear isometric view of the electrical wiringassembly 100 depicted in FIG. 18A is disclosed. The electrical wiringdevice 10 and the USB port device 11 are shown extending through theframe member 12. In this embodiment, the USB port device 11 includes anAC/DC converter circuit (not shown). A DC power cord 40 is coupled tothe AC/DC converter via a terminal in the side of the electrical wiringdevice 10. The opposite end of the cord 40 includes a plug that isconfigured to be inserted into the antenna plug opening 20-20 disposedat the top end of the antenna back body 20-2. Of course, the antennaback body 20-2 is configured to form a rear volume together with sidewall 30-4. Moreover, the antenna back body 20-2 is configured to beconnected to the inside of the antenna wall plate portion 30-3 tocomplete the antenna assembly 20 enclosure.

Note that the portable device cradle 30-10 is coupled to a ratchetmember 30-8 on each side thereof. The ratchet members 30-8 allow thecradle 30-10—and hence the portable device 1—to be adjusted up or downso that the antenna coil in the antenna housing 20-2 substantiallyaligns with the antenna coil disposed in the portable device 1.Specifically, each ratchet 30-8 is disposed within a recess 20-22 formedin a side portion of the antenna back body 20-2. Each ratchet 30-8 alsoincludes a catch element 30-80 disposed on the ratchet 30-8 end oppositethe cradle 30-10. The catch member 30-80 is configured to move betweenthe ratchet steps 20-24 that are formed in the ratchet recess regions20-22.

As described in the '675 application, the frame member 12 is configuredto “complete the electrical enclosure” when one or more modularelectrical devices and/or modular alignment connectors are properlyinstalled within the frame opening such that the device wall boxinterior is substantially inaccessible. Stated differently, instead ofusing a conventional wall plate to complete the enclosure, the framemember 12 is used to prevent individuals from being shocked orelectrocuted by concealing all electrical wiring under the frame 12within the device wall box interior. Reference is again made to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/680,675, which is incorporated herein byreference as though fully set forth in its entirety, for a more detailedexplanation of the frame member 12 and the modular connectors (not shownherein).

Referring to FIG. 18C, a front isometric view of the electrical wiringassembly 100 depicted in FIG. 18A is disclosed with a portableelectronic device in a charging position. This view is identical to FIG.18A with the exception that a portable device 1 (e.g., a cell phone) isshown resting on the cradle 30-10.

Referring to FIG. 18D, a side elevation view of the electrical wiringassembly 100 depicted in FIG. 18A is disclosed. In this view, theportable electronic device is shown in the charging position. As before,the side wall 30-4 has a substantially triangular shape; thus, theantenna wall plate 30-3 is inclined at an angle θ relative to thesubstantially vertical wall surface. The angle θ may be within a rangesubstantially between 0° and 20°. Referring to FIG. 18E, another sideelevation view of the electrical wiring assembly 100 depicted in FIG.18A is disclosed. Again, the portable electronic device is shown in thecharging position.

As embodied herein and depicted in FIG. 18F, an exploded view of theelectrical wiring assembly 100 depicted in FIG. 18A is shown. This viewshows with more clarity the aesthetic wall plate 30-1 that couples toframe 12; again, the aesthetic cover 30-1 includes an electrical wiringdevice wall plate portion 30-2 that is integrally formed with theantenna assembly wall plate portion 30-3. The wall plate portion 30-3includes a recessed region 30-60 that is configured to accommodate theantenna bearing plate 30-6. The antenna housing 20-2 includes a circuitassembly 20-1 that is disposed within the space formed by the antennaback body member 20-2 and the interior wall of plate 30-3. The antennahousing 20-2 is further protected by the side wall 30-4.

As before, the circuit assembly 20-1 includes a printed circuit board(PCB) 20-4. The PCB 20-4 includes various control circuits (not visiblein this view) disposed on the back side thereof. The front side includesa shielding structure 20-6 that accommodates a single antenna coil20-10. The shielding structure 20-6 prevents a magnetic field fromheating any metallic structures behind the assembly 100 (e.g., ametallic device box). The PCB 20-4 also includes a plug receptacle 20-40that is configured to accommodate the plug from the DC supply cord 40.Specifically, the DC supply cord will provide a DC supply voltage (e.g.,+5 DCV) for the antenna coil and the control circuitry.

Referring to FIGS. 19A-19D, various views of an electrical wiringassembly featuring an electric switch wiring device 11 in accordancewith the invention are disclosed. FIG. 19A is a front isometric view ofthe electrical wiring assembly 100 and features a wall plate housingassembly 300 that is configured to accommodate an electrical switchdevice 11 and an antenna assembly 20 (not shown in this view). The wallplate assembly 300 includes an integrally formed wall plate 300-4 thatincludes an electrical wiring device wall plate portion 300-4-1 and anantenna assembly wall plate portion 300-4-2. The integrally formed wallplate 300-4 also includes a side wall 300-2 that has a substantiallytriangular shape. As before, the wall plate assembly 300 also includes adevice cradle 30-10 that includes a cradle pad 30-100 (not shown in thisview). The electrical wiring device wall plate portion 300-4-1 has anopening 300-20 formed therein to accommodate the electrical switchdevice 11.

Referring to FIG. 19B, a rear isometric view of the electrical wiringassembly 100 depicted in FIG. 19A is disclosed. The electrical switchdevice 11 is shown extending through the opening 300-20 so that thewiring terminals 11-12 are accessible for AC wiring. In practice, theelectrical switch device 11 is mounted to a single gang device box viathe mounting ears 11-12 after the AC wiring is connected to the wiringterminals.

The antenna back body 20-2 is configured to form a rear volume togetherwith the antenna wall plate portion 300-4 and the side wall 300-2.Moreover, the antenna back body 20-2 is configured to be connected tothe inside of the antenna wall plate portion 300-4 to complete theantenna assembly 20 enclosure. The antenna back body 20-2 may include aprotruding portion 20-3 that accommodates a power supply circuit toconvert the 120 VAC into a voltage suitable for the antenna coils 20-10and the circuitry 20-1. The wiring terminals 300-40 are provided on theprotruding portion 20-3 and are coupled to the power supply circuitrytherewithin.

As before, the portable device cradle 30-10 is coupled to a ratchetmember 30-8 on each side thereof. The ratchet members 30-8 allow thecradle 30-10—and hence the portable device 1—to be adjusted up or downso that the antenna coil(s) in the antenna housing 20-2 aresubstantially aligned with the antenna coil disposed in the portabledevice 1. Each ratchet 30-8 is disposed within a recess 20-22 formed ina side portion of the antenna back body 20-2. Each ratchet 30-8 alsoincludes a catch element 30-80 disposed on the ratchet 30-8 end oppositethe cradle 30-10. The catch member 30-80 is configured to move betweenthe ratchet steps 20-24 that are formed in the ratchet recess regions20-22.

FIG. 19C is another front isometric view of the electrical wiringassembly 100 and is identical to the view provided in FIG. 19A, with theexception that a portable device 1 is disposed on the cradle 30-12.

As embodied herein and depicted in FIG. 19D, an exploded view of theelectrical wiring assembly 100 depicted in FIG. 19A is shown. This viewshows with more clarity the wall plate 300-4, and shows the electricalwiring device wall plate portion 300-4-1 that is integrally formed withthe antenna assembly wall plate portion 300-4-2. The wall plate portion300-4 includes a recessed region 300-60 that is configured toaccommodate the antenna bearing plate 30-6. The antenna housing 20-2includes a circuit assembly 20-1 that is disposed within the spaceformed by the antenna back body member 20-2 and the interior of the wallplate housing 300-4. The antenna housing 20-2 is further protected bythe side wall 300-3.

The circuit assembly 20-1 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 20-4.The PCB 20-4 includes various control circuits (not visible in thisview) disposed on the back side thereof. The front side includes ashielding structure 20-6 that accommodates a single antenna coil 20-10.The shielding structure 20-6 prevents a magnetic field from heating anymetallic structures behind the assembly 100 (e.g., a metallic device boxor electronic components). The PCB 20-4 also includes an ACinterconnection 20-40 that is configured to connect the AC power wiring50 to the PCB 20-4. The AC wiring 50 is, of course, connected to thewiring terminals 300-40 shown in FIG. 19B.

Referring to FIGS. 20A-20B, detail views illustrating a method forfastening an antenna wall plate (30, 300 or 3000) to a mounting surfaceis disclosed. FIG. 20A is an isometric view of the wall plate 300 fromsubstantially underneath the assembly 100. In this view, the wall platehousing 300-4 is shown to include fastener apertures 300-5; eachaperture 300-5 accommodates a suitable fastener 2. FIG. 20B is asectional view of one of the fastener apertures 300-5 depicted in FIG.20A. Thus, each fastener aperture 300-5 is substantially slanted so thatthe fastener screw 2 can attach the antenna wall plate portion 300-4-2to the wall surface. This embodiment may be employed in conjunction withany of the wall plate embodiments (30, 300 or 3000) described herein.

Referring to FIG. 21, a detail view illustrating another method forfastening an antenna wall plate (30, 300 or 3000) to a mounting surfaceis disclosed. In this embodiment, a rear wall mount structure 3 isattached to the wall surface after the wiring device (10, 11) is mountedto the wall box and before the wall plate assembly 300 is installed. Thewall plate 300 includes a wall mount catch 300-7 that is configured toengage the rear wall mount structure 3 so that the antenna assembly wallplate portion 300-4-2 is affixed to the wall. Subsequently, the screwsfor the wiring device portion 300-4-1 can be threaded into the mountingears 10-14 or wall box to complete the installation. This embodiment maybe employed in conjunction with any of the wall plate embodiments (30,300 or 3000) described herein.

Referring to FIG. 22, a detail view illustrating another method forfastening an antenna wall plate to a mounting surface is disclosed. Thisembodiment may be employed with a wall plate assembly (30, 300, or 3000)that features a rear frame element 30-2, for example. Before theelectrical wiring device (10/11) is mounted to the device box via theframe 30-2, an adhesive (PSA) material 4 is applied to the wall at alocation under the frame 30-2 that supports the antenna assembly wallplate portion 30-4. Once the frame 30-2 is affixed to the wall by thePSA 4, the electrical device 10/11 may be coupled to the device box viathe frame 30-2. After this, the electrical wall plate 30-140 and theantenna wall plate 30-4 may be snapped into the frame 30-2 to completethe installation.

Referring to FIGS. 23A-23B, detail views illustrating a cradle assembly30-120 for accommodating portable electronic devices of varying sizesare disclosed. In this embodiment, the cradle assembly 30-120 includestop and bottom cradles 30-12 that are coupled to a movable rack portion30-122. The movable rack portion 30-122 is, in turn, coupled to piniongear 30-124. The pinion gear 30-124 is coupled to a spring element30-126 that is configured to drive the rack 30-122 into a minimum sizedopening. Thus, when a user places the portable electronic device 1between the cradles 30-12, the top and bottom cradles 30-12 willseparate until the device 1 is therebetween. Moreover, the spring forceurges the cradles 30-12 together so that the device is kept firmly inplace.

Note that the wall plate assembly 30 is shown to include an inclinedsurface 30-4; however, this embodiment fully supports an antenna wallplate surface 30-4 that is substantially parallel to the wall surface(i.e., substantially no inclination).

Referring to FIGS. 24A-24D, various isometric views of an electricalcharger wiring device in accordance with the invention are disclosed.FIG. 24A is a front view of the electrical charger wiring device 200. Inthis view, the front cover 202 is substantially flush with the wallplate 30. Like a previous embodiment, this embodiment is in a formfactor suitable for a modular wiring device system. Reference is made toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/680,675, which is incorporatedherein by reference as though fully set forth in its entirety, for amore detailed explanation of the modular wiring device system. Thewiring device 200 is configured as a two-module device of the type shownin the '675 application. As before, the circuitry 20-1 (not shown inthis view) is disposed between a front cover 202 and a back body 204.

In FIG. 24B, a portion of the front cover 202 is shown extending fromthe wall plate 30. The back body 204 (not shown in this view) includespush release mechanisms that alternately hold the front cover 202 (andthe antenna assembly 20) within the housing 204 and release the frontcover 202 in response to being depressed by a user. In FIG. 24C, thecradle is opened and in FIG. 24D, a portable device 1 is placed in thecradle door 202-1. The opening of the cradle door 202-1 can beconfigured to actuate a switch in the interior of the device thatsignals the controller to begin a charging routine.

Referring to FIGS. 25A-25C, various isometric views of an electricalcharger wiring device 200 in accordance with the invention aredisclosed. Like a previous embodiment, this embodiment is in a formfactor suitable for a modular wiring device system. Reference is made toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/680,675, which is incorporatedherein by reference as though fully set forth in its entirety, for amore detailed explanation of the modular wiring device system.

In FIG. 25A, the front cover 202 is inclined to accommodate a portableelectrical device 1 so that side wall 202-2 has a substantiallytriangular form factor that accommodates an electrical receptacle 10-6.The opposing side wall 202-3 includes several USB ports 10-8. Thus, thetriangularly shaped wiring device 202 includes a 120 VAC to low voltagepower supply of the type described herein. The opposing side wall 202-3also includes a charger switch 202-4 that may be used to signal thecontroller to begin a charging routine. FIG. 25C shows the portabledevice in charging position.

Referring to FIGS. 26A-26D, various isometric views of an electricalcharger wiring device 200 in accordance with the invention aredisclosed. Like a previous embodiment, this embodiment is in a formfactor suitable for a modular wiring device system. Reference is made toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/680,675, which is incorporatedherein by reference as though fully set forth in its entirety, for amore detailed explanation of the modular wiring device system.

FIG. 26A shows the front cover 202 flush with the cover plate 30. Asillustrated by FIG. 26B, a rear housing 204 (not shown in this view)includes push release mechanisms that alternately hold a front enclosure202 (and the antenna assembly 20) within the rear housing 204 andrelease the front enclosure 202 in response to being depressed by auser.

In FIG. 26B, a side wall 202-2 of the front enclosure 202 has asubstantially rectangular form factor that accommodates an electricalreceptacle 10-6. The opposing side wall 202-3 includes several USB ports10-8. Thus, the rectangular shaped wiring device 202 includes a 120 VACto low voltage power supply of the type described herein. In FIG. 26C,the opposing side wall 202-3 may include a charger switch 202-4 that maybe used to signal the controller to begin a charging routine (not shownin this view). In another embodiment, the cradle surface 202-12 mayinclude a capacitive touch plate that signals the controller to begincharging. FIG. 26D shows the portable device in charging position.

Referring to FIGS. 27A-27B, various isometric views of an electricalcharger wiring device 200 in accordance with the invention aredisclosed. Like a previous embodiment, this embodiment is in a formfactor suitable for a modular wiring device system. Reference is made toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/680,675, which is incorporatedherein by reference as though fully set forth in its entirety, for amore detailed explanation of the modular wiring device system.

In FIG. 27A, the front cover 202 is flush with the cover plate 30. Asillustrated by FIG. 27B, a rear housing 204 (not shown in this view)includes push release mechanisms that alternately hold the cradleassembly 202-12 within the rear housing 204 and release the cradleassembly 202-12 in response to being depressed by a user. In thisembodiment, the antenna logo plate—which locates the antenna coil—isdisposed on the cradle. Thus, the antenna coil 20-10 is disposed in theretractable cradle 202-12. In an alternate embodiment, the antenna coil20-10 may be disposed behind the wall plate 30.

Referring to FIGS. 28A-28B, isometric views of an electrical wiringassembly 100 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention aredisclosed. This embodiment is similar to the embodiments described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-6. Thus, in reference to the embodiment of FIG.4, for example, the electrical assembly 100 may include a wall platehousing assembly 300 that includes a back body sub-plate 300-2 (notshown) coupled to a single wall plate cover 300-4 to form the wall platehousing assembly 300. The electrical wiring device 10 and the antennaassembly 20 (not shown in this view) are substantially disposed withinthe housing 300. Note that the rear portion of the electrical wiringdevice is open at the rear to allow for access to the AC wiringterminals 10-14 (not shown). This embodiment differs from previousembodiments in that the wall plate cover 300-4 is flush relative to themounting (wall) surface. In this embodiment, the wall plate cover 300-4includes a device cradle door 300-12 that is flush in FIG. 28A and openin FIG. 28B. As before, the antenna logo plate 300-6 is disposed on thewall plate cover 300-4 to identify the position of the antenna assembly20 within the housing 300.

Referring to FIGS. 29A-29B, isometric views of an electrical wiringassembly 100 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention aredisclosed. This embodiment is similar to the one shown in FIGS. 5A-5E.Similarly, the wall plate assembly 30 includes a wall plate 30-14 thatis coupled to that antenna back plate 20-2 by a hinge element 30-144.The antenna assembly 20 is disposed between the antenna back plate 20-2and the antenna wall plate 30-3. In FIG. 29A, the antenna wall plateassembly 30 is shown in the stowed position substantially flush to thewall surface. In FIG. 29B, the antenna wall plate assembly 30 is rotatedoutwardly and inclined at an inclination angle θ relative to the wallsurface.

Referring to FIG. 30, an isometric view of an electrical wiring assemblyin accordance with another embodiment of the invention is disclosed.This embodiment is similar to the one depicted in FIGS. 29A-B, with theexception that the charger portion 30 is disposed above the wiringdevice 10 and at a fixed angle relative to the mounting surface.Moreover, since the antenna wall plate cover 30-3 is facing the wall,the antenna rear compartment 20-2 faces outwardly. Since the samereference numbers are used to refer to the same or like parts, nofurther description is deemed necessary.

Referring to FIG. 31, an isometric view of an electrical wiring assemblyin accordance with another embodiment of the invention is disclosed.This embodiment is similar to the one depicted in FIGS. 4A-4C because itincludes an integrally formed wall plate 30 that has substantiallytriangular side walls 30-4 that extend at an angle so that the antennawall plate portion 30-3 is inclined. This embodiment features a lowerinclined wall 30-2 that is configured to accommodate an outletreceptacle 10-6 and two USB ports 10-8. Since the same reference numbersare used to refer to the same or like parts, no further description isdeemed necessary.

Referring to FIGS. 32A-32B, isometric views of an electrical wiringassembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention aredisclosed. This embodiment is similar to the one depicted in FIGS. 4A-4Cand 31 because it includes an integrally formed wall plate 30 that hassubstantially triangular side walls 30-4 that extend at an angle so thatthe antenna wall plate portion 30-3 is inclined. One side wall 30-4includes an outlet receptacle 10-6. The opposite side wall 30-5 includestwo USB ports 10-8. Since the same reference numbers are used to referto the same or like parts, no further description is deemed necessary.

Referring to FIG. 33 A, a front isometric view of an electrical wiringassembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention isdisclosed. In this embodiment, electrical assembly 100 includes a wallplate housing assembly 300. The wall plate housing assembly 300 includesa single wall plate cover 300-4 coupled to a rear sub-plate 300-2 and anantenna back body 20-2 to form the wall plate housing assembly 300. Theelectrical wiring device 10 and the antenna assembly 20 (not shown inthis view) are substantially disposed within the housing 300. Note thatthe rear portion of the electrical wiring device is open at the rear toallow for access to the AC wiring terminals 10-14. The wall plate cover300-4 has an opening 300-20 formed therein to accommodate the electricalwiring device 10, and a recessed portion 300-60 configured to retain theantenna logo plate 300-6. As described herein, wiring device 10 includesa USB port 10-8 for charging a portable device by way of a cordterminated with a USB plug when inserted in port 10-8. The USB port 10-8is powered by an AC/DC converter circuit inside electrical wiring device10 (not shown). Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 8,758,031 which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all that it teachesincluding a USB wiring device and all of its related circuitry andmechanical aspects.

The antenna logo plate 300-6 is disposed on the wall plate cover 300-4within a recessed portion (30-60) for identifying the position of theantenna assembly 20 within the housing 300. The plate 300-6 is comprisedof a material that has a relatively high coefficient of friction for thereasons provided above. As described below, the antenna housing includestwo primary coils (20-10-1, 20-10-2) that are configured to provide amore robust magnetic field, thus the need for an adjustable cradle iseliminated.

The wall plate cover 300-4 also includes a portable device cradle 70.The cradle 70 may include a cradle gripper 70-1 that is spring biased orotherwise configured such that cradle 70 holds the portable electronicdevice against the antenna logo plate 300-6. The cradle 70 is mounted toa bottom portion 70-2 of the front cover 300-4.

Referring to FIG. 33B, a rear isometric view of the electrical wiringassembly 100 depicted in FIG. 33A is disclosed. The electrical wiringdevice 10 extends through the opening 300-20. As before, the electricalwiring device 10 is mounted to the device box after the AC wiring isconnected to the wiring terminals 10-14 and then the wall plate cover300-4 is attached.

Referring to FIG. 33C, a front isometric view of the electrical wiringassembly depicted in FIG. 33A is disclosed with a portable electronicdevice in a charging position. This view is identical to FIG. 33A withthe exception that a portable device 1 (e.g., a cell phone) is shownresting within cradle 70. The portable electronic device so held isdesigned to be charged via wireless transmission, a cord whose plug isconfigured to plug into USB port 10-8, or a cord connected to a batterypack and plug arrangement that derives power from one of the outletreceptacles 10-6.

Referring to FIG. 33D, a side elevation view of the electrical wiringassembly depicted in FIG. 33A is disclosed. In this view, a portableelectronic device is shown in the charging position. As noted above, thecradle gripper 70-1 is spring biased such that the user can pull gripper70-1 away from the antenna logo plate 300-6, insert the portableelectronic device between the gripper 70-1 and the plate 300-6 andrelease cradle gripper 70-1 to secure the device in position against theplate 300-6.

Referring to FIG. 33E, an exploded view of the electrical wiringassembly depicted in FIG. 33A is disclosed. The wall plate housing 300is shown to include an electrical wiring device portion disposeddirectly within a rear sub-plate 300-2. The electrical wiring deviceportion is shown to include the device opening 300-20. The front wallplate cover 300-4 is disposed over the sub-plate frame 300-2 and theantenna back body 20-2 to complete the enclosure. Like previousembodiments, the front cover 300-4 includes a recessed region 300-60that is configured to accommodate the antenna logo plate 300-6.

As shown, the cradle gripper 70-1 may be spring-biased with the cradlespring 70-3. Spring 70-3 may fit over a dowel 70-4, which, in turn, mayinsert through openings 70-5 in the gripper 70-1 and fit into a slottedrecess formed into mounting 70-2, so as to secure the spring 70-3 andgripper 70-1 to mounting and form a spring-biased pivot by which gripper70-1 may be pulled away from antenna logo plate 300-6. Again, becausegripper 70-1 is biased by spring 70-3, when gripper 70-1 is released, itwill return to antenna logo plate 300-6, or will secure a portabledevice that is positioned between gripper 70-1 and antenna logo plate300-6. Cradle 70 may further comprise a front portion 70-6 that abutsthe lower edge of the gripper 70-1, and is curved so as to contact frontwall plate cover 300-4 when the gripper 70-1 is pulled away from antennalogo plate 300-6, to limit the distance the gripper 70-1 may pull awayfrom the antenna logo plate 300-6.

The antenna housing 20-2 includes a circuit assembly 20-1 that isdisposed within the space formed between the antenna back body 20-2 andthe interior wall of the front wall plate cover 300-4. The circuitassembly 20-1 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 20-4 that hasvarious control circuits (not visible in this view) disposed on the backside thereof. The front side includes a shielding structure 20-6 thataccommodates a plurality of antenna coils 20-10. The shielding structure20-6 prevents a magnetic field from heating any metallic structuresbehind the assembly 100 (e.g., a metallic device box or an electroniccomponent). In the example shown in this view, the antenna is comprisedof two coils, 20-10-1, and 20-10-2 (in alternate embodiments, antennamay be comprised of a single coil arrangement (20-10-1), a double coilarrangement (20-10-2), or a three coil arrangement (20-10-1, 20-10-2,and 20-10-3)).

As embodied herein and depicted in FIG. 34, a schematic block diagramillustrating a wireless charging device with a lock-out timer circuit3300 is disclosed. In one embodiment, the AC power (e.g., 120 VAC, 60Hz) is provided to the power supply 10-16 via a power station enableswitch S1. In another embodiment, the power station enable switch S1 maybe provided at the output of the power supply 10-16. In the latter case,the position of the switch S1 allows the user to turn off the wirelesscharger while, for example, the low voltage (e.g., USB) receptacleremains energized. See, e.g., FIG. 1A. S1 may be provided on anysuitable surface of the wall plate assembly 30 (300, 3000). See, e.g.,switch 202-4 at FIG. 25B. In any event, the power supply 10-16 isconfigured to convert AC power to one or more low voltage power supplysignals in accordance with the requirements of the charger circuitry20-1 and the charger coil(s) 20-10.

The lockout circuit may include any suitable sensor configured to sensethe operation of the charger coil(s) 20-10. In one embodiment, thesensor may be realized by a resistive shunt that signals to the detector3302 that the charger coil(s) 20-10 are pulling current (and thusoperating). In another embodiment, the sensor may be implemented using asensing coil that is configured to be magnetically coupled to the coils20-10 when they are in operation. Briefly then, once the detector 3302detects that sensor signal, it provides the delay timer 3304 with adetection signal. The delay timer is a type of filter and functions muchlike a de-bounce signal; it allows the lockout circuit 3300 to ignoresensor “sputtering” (e.g., momentary interruptions to the chargingprocess) and noise so that the lockout timer is not prematurelyactivated. Once the detector signal is reasserted during the delay timerperiod, the delay timer 3304 will reset, otherwise it times out andsends a signal to the lockout timer 3306.

When the lockout timer 3306 receives the signal from the delay timer3304, it opens a switch S2 (electronic or mechanical) that decouples thecircuit assembly 20-1 from power supply 10-16 for a predeterminedinterval so that the circuit assembly 20-1 cannot charge the battery.The predetermined interval may be in a range that includes 15 seconds,30 seconds, one (1) minute or up to an hour.

The reason for the lockout timer 3300 is as follows. Many portableelectronic devices are configured to provide an audible signal (e.g., abeep) that signals the user that its battery has been fully charged.However, once the battery charges, the battery voltage starts to decay.Even when the amount of decay is slight, the charger will recommence thecharging process to bring the battery voltage back up to full charge.Each time the battery voltage is brought back up to full charge, theportable electronic device will provide the audible signal. Accordingly,the user may hear a series of beeping sounds every few seconds. Thelockout circuit 3300 prevents this annoyance from occurring.

Note that with or without the lockout circuit 3300, the switch S1 may beconfigured to interrupt the power supply 10-16, circuit assembly 20-1,and/or the lock-out circuit 3300 when these elements are not in use. Inanother embodiment of the invention, the switch S1 may be mechanicallycoupled to the reciprocating gripper 30-120 (see, e.g., FIG. 23A). Whena portable electronic device is disposed between the grippers, theswitch S1 may be closed to thus enable a charging sequence. When theportable electronic device 1 is removed, power may also be removed toterminate the charging sequence.

Referring to FIG. 35, a diagrammatic depiction of an electrical wiringassembly 100 in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. Asshown herein, the electrical wiring assembly 100 may include anelectrical wiring device 10 and a wireless charging facility 30 (300,3000) disposed within a wall plate housing 30-1. As described herein,the power supply 10-3 is configured to provide a low voltage signal to,e.g., one or more USB ports 10-8 (See, e.g., FIG. 1A) and a low voltagesignal to the wireless charging facility 30 (300, 3000). In thisembodiment, the low voltage signal provided to the wireless facility 30is a DC signal that can be modulated by the inverter disposed in charger30. The DC signal may be of any suitable voltage amount depending on therequirements of the charger circuit 20-1 (e.g., +5 VDC, +/−5 VDC, +12VDC, +15 VDC, +/−15 VDC, +19 VDC, etc.).

As described herein, the circuit 20-1 typically includes an embeddedcontroller 20-9 that is configured to drive the inverter in accordancewith the system specification. The charging coil(s) 20-10 provide theembedded controller 20-9 with a feedback signal for closed-loop controlof the inverters and the charging process. The embedded controller iscoupled to a communication interface 20-11 that is configured tocommunicate with the portable device using a suitable communicationschannel (in-band or out-of-band). The term “out-of-band” refers to theuse of a communications interface other than primary and secondarycharging coils to establish communications between the portable device 1and the assembly 100. The communication interface may be implemented byany suitable wireline or wireless communications interface. For example,one embodiment of the communication interface employs a Bluetoothwireless communications protocol.

In one embodiment, the wireless charging station 30 is configured toemploy magnetic induction charging. As those skilled in the art willappreciate, magnetic induction establishes an electromagnetic field inthe primary coil(s) 20-10 to transfer energy to the secondary coil inportable device 1. The embedded controller 20-9 modulates the primarycoil(s) 20-10 to create an alternating electromagnetic field; thesecondary coil in the portable device converts the electromagnetic fieldinto electrical current to charge its battery. As those skilled in theart will further appreciate, the primary coil(s) 20-10 and the secondarycoil—in close proximity—form an electrical transformer. Under thedirection of the embedded controller 20-9, the primary coil(s) 20-10 maybe driven by any suitable time-varying drive signal such as, e.g., asinusoidal signal, a square wave signal, an amplitude modulated signal,a frequency modulated signal, and a phase modulated signal or any othersuitable drive signal. The present invention may be configured inaccordance with any suitable system specification such as the so-called“Qi” standard for Wireless Power Transfer Specification (2013) developedby the Wireless Power Consortium. The Qi Wireless Power TransferSpecification is incorporated herein by reference as though fully setforth in its entirety, for a more detailed explanation of powertransmitter designs A1-A18 and B1-B5 (See, e.g., pp. 11-111), SystemControl (see, e.g., pp. 123-137) and Communications Interfacing (see,e.g., pp. 139-148).

In one embodiment, the wireless charging station 30 is configured toemploy resonant inductive coupling. As those skilled in the art willappreciate, an inductive charging system that uses resonant inductivecoupling may charge a secondary coil that is located at a relativelygreater distance. The primary coil(s) 20-10 and the secondary coil (inthe portable device 1) are configured as resonant circuits that aretuned to resonate at the same frequency. Accordingly, the primary coil20-10 and the secondary coil are tuned by capacitors connected acrossthe windings to make two coupled LC circuits that operate asmagnetically coupled resonators. The resonant frequency may be in theMHz range between, for example, 1 MHz and 30 MHz to enable efficientpower transfer from the primary 20-10 to the secondary.

As before, the embedded controller is configured to drive the invertersusing any suitable time-varying drive signal such as, e.g., a sinusoidalsignal, a square wave signal, an amplitude modulated signal, a frequencymodulated signal, and a phase modulated signal or any other suitabledrive signal. The present invention may be configured in accordance withany suitable system specification such as the A4WP Wireless PowerTransfer System Baseline System Specification (BSS) AW4P-S-0001 v 1.3.,published by the Alliance for Wireless Power Transfer (A4WP), November,2014. The A4WP BSS Specification is incorporated herein by reference asthough fully set forth in its entirety, for a more detailed explanationof the system design including system description, resonator designs,transmitter designs, power transfer specifications, networking andsignaling (see, e.g., pp. 1-108).

Referring to FIG. 36 there is shown a schematic block diagram ofprocessing circuitry which may include embedded controller 20-9 andassociated memory 20-12 that may be implemented in connection withantenna assembly 20 (and coil 20-10). Embedded controller 20-9 may be amicrocontroller or other device suitable for executing program codestored in memory 20-12 as described below. Embedded controller 20-9 maybe implemented using hardware, software, general purpose processors,signal processors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs),field programmable gate array (FPGA) devices, customized integratedcircuits and/or a combination thereof. Memory 20-12 may include RAMand/or ROM, wherein the ROM may store operational firmware or providelong-term data storage when the device is not powered, and RAM mayprovide quickly-accessible memory for use with the processor whenantenna assembly is powered. Memory 20-12 may alternately be referred toas “computer-readable medium,” which as used herein, refers to anymedium that participates in providing data and/or instructions to theprocessor for execution. One of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that memory 20-12 may be included together with embeddedcontroller 20-9, for example, as an integrated-circuit ormicrocontroller. Alternately, memory 20-12 may be separate and apartfrom embedded controller 20-9 but coupled to the embedded controller20-9 such that embedded controller 20-9 may access the program codestored in memory. Embedded controller 20-9 may further include I/Ocircuitry, communication interface circuitry, and be coupled togetherwith memory 20-12 by a bus system.

Embedded controller 20-9 may be in further connection with coils 20-10,a sensor 20-13, and the communications interface 20-11. As mentionedabove, memory 20-12 may store program code necessary for operation ofembedded controller 20-9. Program code may include instructions tocommunicate with sensor 20-13, wherein sensor 20-13 is configured todetect the presence of a phone. Sensor 20-13 may, for example, be inphysical communication with device cradle 30-10 and may detect theweight of the portable mobile device is positioned on cradle 30-10 andnotify (e.g., by sending a signal) embedded controller 20-9 that aportable mobile device is present. In another example, sensor 20-13 maydetect the presence of a portable mobile device reactively by measuringthe change in inductance or capacitance of a reactive element inresponse to a portable mobile device. Indeed, embedded controller 20-9may not employ a separate sensor 20-13 at all, but may instead measurethe inductance of electromagnetic coil 20-10.

Embedded controller 20-9 may communicate with a portable mobile devicevia communications interface 20-11. For example, embedded controller20-9 may perform a “handshaking” operation with the portable mobiledevice, which may, among other things, notify embedded controller 20-9of the type of device to be charged, authorize charging, and prepare theportable mobile device to be charged. Once embedded controller 20-9ascertains the type of device to be charged, embedded controller 20-9may configure, drive, or otherwise prepare electromagnetic coils 20-10to transmit the correct frequency, voltage, etc., as is necessary tocharge a device of the appropriate type. As mentioned above, memory20-12 may store program code necessary for embedded controller 20-9 tosuitably drive coils 20-10 (e.g., according to the relevant protocols)to charge the portable mobile device.

Communications interface 20-11 may also communicate with the portableelectronic device to determine the present charge of the battery of theportable electronic device. For example, the portable electronic devicemay communicate to embedded controller 20-9 via the communicationsinterface 20-11 that the battery of the portable device is completelycharged. Appropriately notified, embedded controller 20-9 may instructantenna assembly 20 to cease transmitting power to the portable device(or may otherwise disconnect circuit assembly 20-1 to cease transmittingpower, by, for example, opening switches S1 or S2). Furthermore, oncecompletely charged, embedded controller 20-9 may turn on an LED (notshown) to notify a user that the portable electronic device hascompleted charging.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the diagrammatic depictionof FIG. 36 is suitable for various forms of wireless charging technologyincluding magnetic resonance technology and magnetic inductiontechnology. Magnetic resonance technology typically operates at aresonance frequency within the range of 1 MHz and 30 MHz and isdescribed in greater detail in the Wireless Power Transfer SystemBaseline System Specification (BSS) AW4P-S-0001 published by theAlliance for Wireless Power Transfer (A4WP.) Magnetic inductiontechnology operates at a lower frequency, e.g. within the range of 100kHz to 200 kHz and is described in greater detail in the so-called “Qi”standard for Wireless Power Transfer Specification (2013) developed bythe Wireless Power Consortium.

While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto; inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to beconstrued as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joinedtogether, even if there is something intervening.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one stepor act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarilylimited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method arerecited.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification andclaims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation thatcould permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basicfunction to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a termor terms, such as “about” and “substantially”, are not to be limited tothe precise value specified. In at least some instances, theapproximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrumentfor measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification andclaims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged; suchranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained thereinunless context or language indicates otherwise.

The recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serveas a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and eachseparate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein.

All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable orderunless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted bycontext. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g.,“such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminateembodiments of the invention and does not impose a limitation on thescope of the invention unless otherwise claimed.

No language in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. There isno intention to limit the invention to the specific form or formsdisclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appendedclaims. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover themodifications and variations of this invention provided they come withinthe scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical wiring assembly comprising: a plurality of line terminals configured to be coupled to a source of AC power; an antenna assembly including a circuit assembly coupled to the plurality of line terminals, the circuit assembly including a control circuit coupled to at least one electro-magnetic coil, the control circuit being configured to provide an electrical drive signal to the at least one electro-magnetic coil in accordance with a predetermined wireless charging regimen, the at least one electro-magnetic coil being configured to propagate a magnetic field in accordance with the electrical drive signal; and a wall plate assembly including an electrical wiring device region configured to accommodate an electrical wiring device therewithin, and a separate antenna assembly region configured to accommodate the antenna assembly and the circuit assembly therewithin, the antenna assembly region including a charging interface region configured to accommodate a portable electronic device, the charging interface region being configured to position the portable electronic device proximate the at least one electro-magnetic coil so that the portable electronic device is disposed within the propagated magnetic field in accordance with the predetermined wireless charging regimen.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical wiring device is selected from a group of electrical wiring devices that include an outlet receptacle, an electric switch, a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI), a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS), a surge protective device (SPD), a dimmer, a fan speed control, a night light, a low voltage port, or a USB port.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical wiring device is configured to be installed in an outlet box attached to a wall structure, the wall plate assembly including a mounting portion configured to attach the wall plate assembly to the electrical wiring device or the wall structure.
 4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the wall plate assembly is configured to substantially conceal the mounting portion after installation.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the charging interface region includes a cradle portion, the cradle portion being configured to accommodate the portable electronic device.
 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein a position of the cradle portion is user adjustable.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the cradle portion includes at least one spring-loaded gripper configured to clamp the portable electronic device against an outer surface of the charging interface region the at least one spring-loaded gripper is configured to accommodate a range of portable electronic device sizes.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one spring-loaded gripper includes two grippers whose motions are controlled in equal and opposite directions by a linkage structure to accommodate the portable electronic device.
 9. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the circuit assembly further includes an electrical switch coupled to the cradle portion, the electrical switch activating the electrical drive signal when the cradle portion is positioned to accommodate the portable electronic device.
 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the electrical drive signal is provided to the at least one electro-magnetic coil when there is a predetermined communication signal provided by the portable electronic device to a receiver disposed in the circuit assembly.
 11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the electrical drive signal stops being provided when the predetermined communication signal interrupts due to a battery disposed in the portable electronic device reaching a charged state.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the control circuit is configured to prevent resumption of the electrical drive signal for a predetermined period of time after the portable electronic device has reached the charged state.
 13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical drive signal is provided to the at least one electro-magnetic coil when there is a predetermined communication signal provided by the portable electronic device to a receiver disposed in the circuit assembly.
 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the electrical drive signal stops being provided when the predetermined communication signal interrupts due to a battery disposed in the portable electronic device reaching a charged state.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the control circuit is configured to prevent resumption of the electrical drive signal for a predetermined period of time after the portable electronic device has reached the charged state.
 16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the control circuit includes a power supply circuit.
 17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall plate assembly includes a mounting portion configured to be coupled to a wall having a planar wall surface, the charging interface region having a substantially planar outer surface configured to accommodate the portable electronic device, the outer surface being substantially parallel to the wall surface.
 18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall plate assembly includes a mounting portion configured to be coupled to a mounting surface, and wherein the charging interface region includes a surface inclined relative to the mounting surface.
 19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein an inclination angle of the surface is user adjustable.
 20. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the electrical wiring device region has an outer surface, wherein the outer surface is substantially parallel with the mounting surface.
 21. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the user accessible electrical wiring device region and the charging interface region having outer surfaces that are substantially co-planar.
 22. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall plate assembly includes a mounting portion configured to be coupled to a mounting surface, and wherein the charging interface region is recessed relative to the mounting surface.
 23. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the predetermined wireless charging regimen includes a magnetic induction charging regimen, a resonant inductive charging regimen, or an RF wireless charging regimen.
 24. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a power supply circuit coupled to the circuit assembly, the power supply circuit being configured to convert an AC power signal provided by the source of AC power into a low voltage power signal.
 25. The device of claim 24, wherein the power supply circuit is disposed in the electrical wiring device.
 26. The device of claim 25, wherein the power supply circuit is coupled to at least one low voltage output port.
 27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein the charging interface region is configured to hold a rechargeable portable device receiving power via a plug deriving power from the at least one low voltage output port.
 28. The assembly of claim 26, wherein the at least one low voltage output port is disposed in the electrical wiring device region.
 29. The device of claim 28, wherein the at least one low voltage output port is disposed between two receptacles disposed in the electrical wiring device region.
 30. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the charging interface region includes a mounting portion configured to be coupled to a wall mounting surface, the mounting portion being substantially flush with respect to the wall mounting surface.
 31. The assembly of claim 30, wherein the mounting portion includes one or more fastening elements configured to affix the charging interface region to the wall mounting surface.
 32. The assembly of claim 30, wherein the electrical wiring device is configured to be disposed within a device box installed within the wall mounting surface.
 33. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical wiring device includes a power supply coupled to a low voltage port, at least a portion of the circuit assembly being configured to receive a power input signal from the power supply.
 34. An electrical wiring assembly comprising: a plurality of line terminals configured to be coupled to a source of AC power; an antenna assembly including a circuit assembly coupled to the plurality of line terminals, the circuit assembly including a control circuit coupled to at least one electro-magnetic coil, the control circuit being configured to provide an electrical drive signal to the at least one electro-magnetic coil in accordance with a predetermined wireless charging regimen, the at least one electro-magnetic coil being configured to propagate a magnetic field in accordance with the electrical drive signal; and a wall plate assembly including an electrical wiring device region configured to accommodate an electrical wiring device therewithin, and a separate antenna assembly region configured to accommodate the antenna assembly and the circuit assembly therewithin, the antenna assembly region including a charging interface region configured to accommodate a portable electronic device so that the portable electronic device is disposed within the propagated magnetic field in accordance with the predetermined wireless charging regimen.
 35. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the electrical wiring device is configured to be installed in an outlet box attached to a wall structure, the wall plate assembly including a mounting portion configured to attach the wall plate assembly to the electrical wiring device or the wall structure.
 36. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the wall plate assembly is configured to substantially conceal the mounting portion after installation.
 37. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the wall plate assembly includes a user adjustable cradle portion being configured to position the portable electronic device proximate the at least one electro-magnetic coil.
 38. The assembly of claim 37, wherein the circuit assembly further includes an electrical switch coupled to the cradle portion, the electrical switch activating the electrical drive signal when the cradle portion is positioned to accommodate the portable electronic device.
 39. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the electrical drive signal is provided upon successful communication between the portable electronic device and a receiver disposed in the circuit assembly.
 40. The assembly of claim 34, wherein an outer wall of the charging interface region or an outer wall of the wiring device region is parallel to a wall surface to which the wall plate assembly is mounted.
 41. The assembly of claim 34, wherein circuit assembly includes a power supply circuit disposed in the electrical wiring device, the power supply circuit being coupled to at least one low voltage output port.
 42. The assembly of claim 41, wherein the at least one low voltage output port is disposed adjacent at least one receptacle disposed in the electrical wiring device region.
 43. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the electrical wiring device includes a pair of mounting ears configured for attaching the electrical wiring device to an outlet box, the charging interface region not being disposed between the pair of mounting ears.
 44. The assembly of claim 43, wherein the outlet box is a single gang outlet box.
 45. The assembly of claim 43, wherein circuit assembly includes a power supply circuit disposed in the electrical wiring device coupled to at least one low voltage output port disposed between the pair of mounting ears. 